Lockheed Martin Successfully Tests F-35B with Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)

Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force, has taken a significant step forward in enhancing the firepower of the F-35B Lightning II. The company recently conducted the first flight test of the F-35B integrated with the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), a milestone that signals progress in expanding the fighter’s strike capabilities. This follows a successful integration test with the F-35C variant in September 2024.

The integration of LRASM is part of the broader Block 4 upgrade for the F-35, which includes the addition of the AGM-158 strike family—comprising the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and LRASM—for external carriage. This upgrade aims to improve the aircraft’s ability to engage high-value, heavily defended targets at extended ranges, significantly boosting its operational flexibility.

Jon Hill, vice president and general manager of Air Dominance and Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, emphasized the strategic importance of this development. According to Hill, integrating these advanced missile systems will enhance the F-35’s ability to engage threats with superior reach and precision, reinforcing its role as a dominant force in modern warfare.

Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the long-term significance of these enhancements. He noted that by incorporating precision-strike capabilities such as LRASM and JASSM, the F-35 will remain at the forefront of aerial combat for years to come.

With over two decades of experience in precision-strike missile technology, Lockheed Martin continues to push the boundaries of air combat innovation. The successful testing of LRASM with the F-35B represents another leap in strengthening the aircraft’s maritime strike potential, ensuring it remains a formidable asset in multi-domain warfare.