Mentioned:LMT Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Navy is contracting Lockheed Martin to integrate the stealthy AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile onto B-52 bombers. The work includes missile software updates, testing, and integration to enable maritime strike operations across the Indo-Pacific.
What's happening
- Lockheed Martin awarded sole-source contract for LRASM integration on B-52 Stratofortress, with work covering missile software updates, testing, repairs to test assets, and failure review boards.
- Integration builds on prior study effort that allocated $10 million in Fiscal Year 2019 funding to examine feasibility of mounting LRASM on the bomber.
- B-52 can carry up to 20 JASSMs and will carry LRASMs with identical dimensions, though exact carriage capacity remains unspecified.
- The C-3 variant of LRASM is expected to achieve approximately 600 miles range, compared to baseline LRASM estimated at 200 to 300 miles.
Why it matters
- LRASM integration transforms B-52 into dedicated anti-ship platform, enabling coordinated multi-missile strikes against high-value surface vessels at long range while reducing aircraft exposure.
- Missile's autonomous target recognition, imaging infrared seeker, and datalink for in-flight threat updates provide survival advantage over earlier Harpoon anti-ship capability previously carried by B-52.
- Adds production demand for LRASM variants and expands the munition's operational footprint across multiple platforms, including B-2 and F/A-18.
- Supports U.S. military strategy to counter increasingly capable adversary naval forces in contested Indo-Pacific environment.
Going deeper
- Air Force Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal outlines planned integration of next-generation LRASM and JASSM variants, including versions not yet cleared for B-52 use, with engineering and manufacturing development activities ongoing.
- FY2027 work includes incorporating missile operational flight programs into baseline B-52 software, validating safe weapon separation from wing-mounted and internal carriage stations, and completing system safety testing.
- B-52 payload capacity enables substantial missile volume contribution to coordinated strikes, allowing single bomber to complicate adversary air-defense and interception problem with multiple simultaneous launches.
The fine print
- Contract structure is cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order with sole-source award following Navy intent notice dated October 7.
- Government notice does not provide schedule for completing integration or fielding capability to operational units.
- Exact number of LRASMs the B-52 will ultimately carry remains unspecified despite identical dimensions to carried JASSMs.
Source: twz.com · Oct 9, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
