Navy achieves first free flight of LRASM tactical weapon
NewsAugust 21, 2017
POINT MUGU SEA RANGE, Calif. The U.S. Navy, together with partner Lockheed Martin, recently conducted the first free-flight launch of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a B-1B Lancer over Point Mugu Sea Range in California.
During the test, the crew aboard the B-1B from Edwards Air Force Base launched the missile over Point Mugu Sea Range. According to Navy officials, the missile navigated through all planned waypoints, transitioned to midcourse guidance, and flew toward the moving maritime target using inputs from the onboard multimodal sensor. It then dropped down to a lower altitude on its final approach to the target area, positively identified the test target, and impacted the target from among a group of ships.
The Navy's aim with LRASM is that it will enable the military to operate in open ocean and the littorals due to its enhanced ability to discriminate and conduct tactical engagements from extended ranges. Operational capability for the LRASM is slated for 2018 on the U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer and 2019 on the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
