iscover
Lockheed Martin and the F‑35 Pax River Integrated Test Force have successfully completed an initial flight test that saw the Long Range Anti‑Ship Missile (LRASM) integrated onto the F‑35B Lightning II stealth fighter.
This latest successful trial integration test follows a similar test on the F‑35C back in September 2024, providing the F-35 family with access to the LRASM weapons platform.
The trial is part of the ongoing Block 4 upgrade, which is set to externally integrate AGM‑158 strike systems – including both the Joint Air‑to‑Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and LRASM – onto the F‑35. The move will boost the aircraft’s multi‑role capabilities and marks the start of the F‑35B AGM‑158 strike systems flight sciences test program, a critical step in delivering advanced technology to America’s warfighter.
“Integration of the AGM‑158 strike systems family delivers increased reach and lethality against heavily protected, strategic targets,” said Jon Hill, vice president and general manager, air dominance and strike weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
He added, “The integration of these systems further demonstrates how we continue to add the most advanced capabilities to the F‑35, ensuring it remains a dominant force, owning the skies for decades to come.”
With over 20 years’ experience in providing highly survivable and accurate cruise missiles, Lockheed Martin is combining the F‑35’s air dominance with the unique capabilities of the JASSM and LRASM to enhance combat readiness. More than 1,100 F‑35s are currently in service worldwide, with the fleet having clocked over 983,400 flight hours.
LRASM is a long range, precision-guided anti-ship missile leveraging off its Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range heritage and is designed to meet the needs of US Navy and Air Force warfighters.
Armed with a penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, LRASM employs precision routing and guidance, day or night in all weather conditions. The missile employs a multimodal sensor suite, weapon data link and enhanced digital anti-jam global positioning system to detect and destroy specific targets within a group of numerous ships at sea.
LRASM is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships by employing advanced technologies that reduce dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, network links and GPS navigation in electronic warfare environments.
The LRASM platform will play a significant role in ensuring military access to operate in open ocean/blue waters, owing to its enhanced ability to discriminate and conduct tactical engagements from extended ranges.
Australia’s interest in the LRASM platform will focus on the integration of the platform with the RAAF’s F-18E/F Super Hornets and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter fleets to enhance the stand-off, deterrence and strike capabilities of the platforms.
Sharing about 85 per cent commonality with the JASSM missiles, currently in service with the RAAF, the LRASM technology will reduce dependence on ISR platforms, network links and GPS navigation in aggressive electronic warfare environments.
This advanced guidance operation means the weapon can use gross target cueing data to find and destroy its pre-defined target in denied environments.
The LRASM platform is also configurable and compatible with the Navy’s Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) launcher, currently in service on board the Hobart Class guided-missile destroyers, Anzac Class frigates and is expected to form the basis of the Hunter Class guided-missile frigates’ VLS capacity.
LRASM can be employed from guided-missile destroyers and guided-missile frigates with only software modifications to existing launch control systems.
As the F‑35 program evolves, the integration of these cutting‑edge systems is set to further cement the fighter’s role as a cornerstone of modern airpower.
