Navy conducts LRASM test from a B-1B Lancer aircraft
NewsDecember 13, 2017
POINT MUGU SEA TEST RANGE, Calif. The U.S. Navy recently completed another in a series of milestone test flights as it endeavors to fully test and certify its new Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), with a test flight from an Air Force B-1B Lancer on December 8 off the coast of southern California.
As part of the test, aircrew aboard the B-1B simultaneously launched two missiles against multiple moving maritime targets for the first time. According to officials at Lockheed Martin, which is the primary contractor on the LRASM, the trial met the primary test objectives, including target impact.
When operational, LRASM is intended to provide flexible, long-range, advanced, antisurface capability against high-threat maritime targets. Naval officials believe that it will play a significant role in enabling military access to operate in both open ocean and the littorals because of the weapon's designed capability to discriminate and conduct tactical engagements from extended ranges.
Early operational capability for the LRASM is slated for 2018 on the U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer and 2019 for use by the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
