AGM-158C LRASM: The U.S. Military’s Stealth Anti-Ship Missile
The AGM-158C LRASM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile) is a next-generation precision-guided weapon developed by Lockheed Martin, designed to address evolving maritime threats. Based on the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range), the LRASM delivers long-range strike capabilities specifically tailored for naval warfare. It was built to fulfill the strategic requirements of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.
Origin and Development
The LRASM program was officially launched in 2009 under two parallel development tracks:
- LRASM-A, a subsonic cruise missile derived from the AGM-158B JASSM-ER.
- LRASM-B, a planned high-altitude, supersonic variant conceptually similar to the Indo-Russian BrahMos missile.
While LRASM-A continued development, LRASM-B was canceled in January 2012, shifting full focus to the subsonic cruise missile variant.
Initial sensor flight testing for the LRASM began in May 2012, followed by a series of evaluations. In August 2013, the first successful flight test was conducted from a B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. Just a month later, in September 2013, Lockheed Martin demonstrated a booster-equipped LRASM launched from a Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS)—the same VLS integrated across many U.S. Navy ships.
In August 2015, the air-launched version was officially designated as AGM-158C. By August 2017, the missile underwent its first pre-production flight test, and in December 2017, it was successfully launched from a B-1B bomber against multiple naval targets. The LRASM entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2018 and the U.S. Navy in 2019.
AGM-158 Flight Testing Begins on F-35C
On September 10, an F-35 Lightning II test pilot conducted a flight to certify the carrier-based variant of the fighter jet for compatibility with the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). As part of ongoing integration efforts, the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) carried out two days of flight testing to assess flutter characteristics, structural loads, and overall flight performance with two LRASM missiles mounted externally.
The LRASM serves as an interim solution to close the air-launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) capability gap, offering a flexible, long-range strike option against heavily defended maritime targets. Pax River ITF's role is to plan, coordinate, and execute safe and effective flight testing for the F-35B and F-35C variants—delivering essential data to support system verification, certification, and operational readiness for the fleet.
AGM-158C LRASM Specifications
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Entered Service | Expected in 2018 |
| Missile Specifications | |
| Missile Length | ~ 4.3 m |
| Missile Width | ~ 0.55 m |
| Wingspan | ~ 2.4 m |
| Missile Weight | 1,100 kg |
| Missile Weight (with Booster) | 2,000 kg |
| Warhead & Performance | |
| Warhead Weight | 450 kg |
| Warhead Type | HE-FRAG (High Explosive – Fragmentation) |
| Range of Fire | 370 km |
| CEP (Circular Error Probable) | ~ 3 m |
Warhead, Range, and Capabilities
The LRASM is armed with a 450 kg blast-fragmentation warhead, optimized to inflict maximum damage to surface warships. It operates effectively in all weather conditions, day or night, and features advanced navigation technologies including:
- Precision guidance system
- Advanced sensor suite
- Secure data links
- GPS navigation hardened against jamming
BAE Systems supplies the missile's seeker and guidance systems, enabling the LRASM to identify and strike specific high-value targets within a dense naval group. While Lockheed Martin states the LRASM has a range of over 370 km, some sources estimate the range could extend to 560 km or more, given its design roots in the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, which boasts a 930 km range. The LRASM travels at subsonic speed.
Stealth Features and Survivability
One of the LRASM’s key advantages is its stealth-focused design. It has a significantly reduced radar cross-section and infrared (IR) signature, making it harder for modern air defense systems to detect or intercept. These features help the missile penetrate layered defenses and reach its target with minimal warning.
The LRASM is also capable of detecting enemy radar and electronic emissions, allowing it to adapt its attack profile for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, the missile can receive targeting data from external sources, such as drones or aircraft, enhancing its battlefield flexibility.
When deployed in numbers, LRASMs can communicate and share targeting data mid-flight, enabling coordinated swarm attacks that maximize damage and confuse enemy defenses.
Launch Platforms and Integration
The LRASM is compatible with multiple U.S. military platforms, including bombers and fighter jets:
- B-1B Lancer: up to 24 missiles
- B-2 Spirit: up to 16 missiles
- B-52H Stratofortress: up to 20 missiles
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: one or two missiles per aircraft
- F-15E Strike Eagle & F-16 Fighting Falcon: one or two missiles per aircraft
Although the F-35 Lightning II cannot carry the LRASM internally due to its size, it can mount the missile externally—albeit at the cost of reducing the aircraft's stealth signature.
The AGM-158C LRASM can also be launched from surface vessels using the Mk.41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). In this configuration, the missile is fitted with a rocket booster, bringing its launch weight to approximately 2,000 kg.
Future Expansion: Drones and Submarines
Lockheed Martin has been contracted to study the integration of LRASM on unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), signaling potential deployment in future autonomous naval warfare environments. Additionally, defense analysts believe a submarine-launched variant may be in development, which would expand the missile’s strategic deployment options even further.
Cost and Production
Each AGM-158C LRASM missile costs between $700,000 and $1 million, depending on production batch and configuration. While more expensive than older Harpoon-class missiles, the LRASM provides enhanced survivability, lethality, and flexibility—making it a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's and Air Force’s future strike capability.
Conclusion
The AGM-158C LRASM represents a leap forward in anti-ship missile technology. With its stealth design, long range, smart targeting, and multi-platform integration, it provides the U.S. military with a powerful tool to counter modern maritime threats in contested environments. As naval warfare continues to evolve, the LRASM ensures that American forces remain a step ahead of any adversary on the high seas.
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