Lockheed-Built LRASM Passes Flight Test, Moves Closer to Early Operational Capability

The U.S. Navy has completed a test flight of Lockheed Martin‘s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile system from a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber aircraft.

Lockheed said Tuesday two LRASMs engaged multiple maritime targets and met primary objectives during the test over Point Mogu Sea Range in California.

David Helsel, LRASM program director at Lockheed’s missiles and fire control unit, said the recent flight showcased the missile’s capacity to aid U.S. forces’ sea control strategy.

LRASM is based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range platform and designed to help warfighters detect targets within a large group of vessels.

Lockheed developed the air-launched variant in an effort to address the Navy’s anti-surface warfare Increment I requirement.

The Navy said Tuesday it expects LRASM to achieve early operational capability status for integration on the B-1 Lancer aircraft in 2018 and on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2019.