With the addition of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear missile submarines, the strategic bomber's role in the triad has changed. Advances in radar and surface-to-air missiles have also made the bomber’s mission more difficult.

Primarily, the role of strategic bombing has shifted towards becoming airborne launchers for cruise missiles (ALCMs).

However, in the 1990s, advances in stealth technology have strengthened the bomber’s role as an effective deterrent. Bombers, such as the F-117 and the B-2 have proven the capability to evade enemy radar