In this article:
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F test fires AGM-158C LRASM
The US Navy partnered with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to successfully test fire the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from their F/A-18F Super Hornets off the coast of California.
The LRASM is now ready for operational use.
A total of $895.5 million has been allocated for the acquisition of the LRASM, which will increase the RAAF’s maritime strike range to more than 370 kilometres.
According to an Australian Government Defence news release, the Albanese Government is investing $28–35 billion over the next decade to develop and enhance targeting and long-range strike capabilities across Defence.
The operational testing involved the validation of weapons preparation and loading as well as targeting and successful weapon engagement. The ADF also simulated a long-range maritime strike against a potential adversary. They were supported by an Australian E-7A Wedgetail and EA-18G Growler aircraft alongside a United States Navy P-8A Poseidon.
Enhanced maritime, land and air strike capabilities
This activity delivers on the Albanese Government’s National Defence Strategy’s priorities for the Australian Air Force to deliver enhanced maritime, land and air strike capabilities as part of the integrated, focused force.
Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP, said;
“Capabilities such as the LRASM will help the Australian Defence Force protect against threats to Australia and our national interests.
“These weapon systems equip our forces to better protect Australia’s maritime approaches and when necessary, conduct operations in our region. It will be seen across the Super Hornet, Poseidon and F-35 fleets.
“The successful firing of the LRASM wouldn’t have been possible without the participation of our allies and industry partners, like the United States and Lockheed Martin.”
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, said;
“The Albanese Government has prioritised funding capabilities like this to respond to our strategic circumstances.
“The acquisition of LRASM is a significant step up in long-range strike for our Air Force and underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to equipping the ADF with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.”
Long Range Anti-Ship Missile
Derived from the combat-proven Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 LRASM is a precision-guided intelligent anti-ship missile design to interdict a variety of surface threats at very long range, navigating semi-autonomously to the target, and delivering a precise payload from safe, standoff range.
The company is currently executing the Accelerated Acquisition contract for the LRASM Deployment Office, further maturing technologies delivered as an early operational capability for the US Air Force B-1B and US Navy F/A-18E/F.
Additionally, Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) recently completed an initial flight test integrating the LRASM weapon system onto the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet. This most recent test follows a flight test with LRASM on F-35C in September 2024.
Moreover, as recently reported, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) will integrate the AGM-158C missile on the F-16.
Lockheed Martin is also investing in a surface-launch variant to be used by the vertical launching system (VLS), currently in the fleet.
LRASM brings additional, advanced long-range sea and land strike capabilities to the 5th Generation F-35 fleet.
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.
LRASM provides range, survivability, and lethality that no other current system provides.
Photo credit: Royal Australian Air Force / U.S. Navy
