Lockheed Martin LRASM Air Launched Flight Testing

Lockheed Martin has test fired production-configuration Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) from a US Air Force B-1B bomber.

During the test over the Sea Range at Point Mugu, California, B-1B aircrew simultaneously launched two LRASMs against multiple maritime targets, meeting the primary test objectives, including target impact, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

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 platforms, network links and GPS navigation in electronic warfare environments.

LRASM is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the successful Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is designed to meet the needs of US Navy and Air Force warfighters in contested environments.

The air-launched variant provides an early operational capability for the US Navy's offensive anti-surface warfare Increment I requirement to be integrated onboard the US Air Force's B-1B in 2018 and on the US Navy's F/A-18E/F in 2019.