Lockheed Martin Delivers First Long Range Anti-Ship Missile To USAF Operational Units

[Zarvan]

Long Range Anti-ship Missile (image: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has delivered the first Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) to the United States (US) Air Force operational units.

The LRASM completed the required integration, flight testing, modelling and simulation for the EOC declaration. It is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships by employing technology that reduces dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, network links and GPS navigation in contested environments. LRASM will ensure military access to operate in open ocean/blue waters, owing to its ability to discriminate and conduct tactical engagements from extended ranges, the company said Tuesday.

LRASM is a guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range. It is designed to meet the needs of US Navy and Air Force warfighters in contested environments. The air-launched variant, integrated onboard the US Air Force's B-1B, provides an early operational capability meeting the offensive anti-surface warfare Increment I requirement. LRASM is on schedule to achieve EOC on the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2019, the company added further.

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