The US Navy has successfully concluded the initial phase of flight sciences testing for the integration of the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) with the F-35C Lightning II, marking a major step toward providing the carrier-based stealth fighter with an advanced long-range maritime strike capability.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the LRASM combines low-observable design features, sophisticated sensors, and autonomous target engagement capabilities, making it a critical asset for US operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The weapon is intended to counter high-value naval targets in heavily contested environments where traditional targeting methods may be degraded.
During the two-year testing effort, the missile underwent multiple captive-carry flight trials to assess how the F-35C performs while carrying the weapon externally across various flight conditions. With captive-carry evaluations now complete, the program will advance to separation testing to verify safe missile release, followed by guided-flight assessments and eventually live-fire demonstrations. The Navy has not disclosed when the capability is expected to enter operational service.
Designed for Contested Maritime Battlespaces
The AGM-158C LRASM was jointly developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the US Navy as a successor to the aging AGM-84 Harpoon, addressing limitations in range, survivability, and effectiveness against modern naval threats.
Derived from the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), LRASM can independently locate, identify, and engage enemy ships using onboard sensors without relying on GPS, external data links, or detailed pre-mission intelligence. This enables effective engagement of moving maritime targets in denied or degraded operational environments.
The missile incorporates a passive radio-frequency seeker, a secure datalink, and an upgraded altimeter. It can receive targeting information from the launch aircraft, accept in-flight updates, or autonomously detect and prosecute targets. With a strike range exceeding 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers), LRASM offers a powerful stand-off capability while reducing risks to the launch platform.
Expanding F-35C Strike Capabilities
The LRASM is already fielded on the US Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer bomber. Integrating the weapon with the F-35C will combine the missile’s long-range precision strike capability with the fighter’s stealth characteristics and advanced sensor fusion architecture.
Compared with conventional platforms such as the F/A-18, the F-35C can penetrate closer to defended areas, gather targeting information earlier, and remain undetected for longer periods. When paired with LRASM’s autonomous engagement capabilities, the combination is expected to significantly strengthen the Navy’s ability to strike high-value maritime assets in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) environments.
