Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Anti-Ship Missile Triumphs in B-1B Flight Test for the U.S. Air Force

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has successfully launched two production representative Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) from a U.S. Air Force B-1B. This significant event underscores the missile’s critical capabilities for modern warfare.

During the test at the Sea Range in Point Mugu, California, a B-1B from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, deployed the LRASMs. These advanced missiles navigated through all designated waypoints, transitioned to mid-course guidance, and engaged a moving maritime target using onboard sensors. The missiles identified and successfully impacted the intended target.

“The success of this second dual-LRASM test event speaks volumes,” remarked David Helsel, LRASM program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “As LRASM progresses toward early operational deployment for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, this weapon system continues to demonstrate essential capabilities needed by our armed forces.”

LRASM is engineered to locate and destroy specific targets amidst groups of ships, leveraging cutting-edge technologies that minimize reliance on intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance platforms, network connections, and GPS navigation, especially in contested environments. Its advanced features ensure military access for operations in open ocean and blue waters, enhancing tactical engagement from extended ranges.

This precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile builds upon the successful Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range. It is tailored to meet the operational requirements of U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force personnel in challenging environments. The air-launched variant was designed to provide early operational capability for the Navy’s offensive anti-surface warfare Increment I requirement, with integration planned for the U.S. Air Force’s B-1B in 2018 and the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2019.