The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, successfully conducted a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) flight test with four missiles simultaneously in flight.
During the 12th Integrated Test Event (ITE-12), the U.S. Navy was able to demonstrate the weapon’s inherent high-end lethality from mission planning through kill chain integration and its effects on the target.
“All mission objectives were met, reinforcing high confidence in the weapon’s capabilities and superior firepower.”
“We have continued to invest in the design and development of LRASM’s anti-surface warfare capabilities to ensure that warfighters have the 21st century security solutions they need to complete their missions and come home safely,” said Lisbeth Vogelpohl, LRASM program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
“This event was a testament to our commitment to deliver reliable products that work each and every time, ensuring those who serve stay ahead of ready.”
ITE-12 was the next ‘big-step’ in LRASM’s evolution. The successful test was a graduation exercise for the missiles’ latest configuration and lays the foundation for increased capabilities to come.
This is nothing have a butchers’ at the USAF Rapid Dragon missile deployment system. Where pallets of cruise missiles are dropped out of the back of a cargo plane (C17, C130) and as they descend on parachutes , they launch those missiles at the enemy.
…and same for Spear3 when it eventually reaches service, they “network” together.
Imagine…fire 8 at a target followed closely by the big ship killer.
We need these in service ASAP.
AA
I’m kind of hoping we do something similar with Stom Shadow and FC/ASW. After the SPEAR 4 upgrades to Storm Shadow the existing missiles will presumably have quite a bit of shelf life left. Having 800 of them we can launch from a C17 or A400M is quite the conventional strike capability if combined with TLAM and FC/ASW.
Sod the US, inform us about UK weapon production, please.
One aspect of US development you cannot fault, they do proper (more realistic) testing, or at least higher end testing, that most simply cannot afford, GQM-163 being another example, and simulated Ballistic missile targets launched from the back of C17s.
No doubt part of the reason their kit is so much more expensive than say the Russians. But it pays off when you have to use it, as we’re seeing russias much hyped air defense fail time and time again against cheap drones and storm shadows!
Could be as much down to western EW/ECM nullifying Russian systems.
Yeah, another thing the US has always got right is their weapons always have a long reach as compared to european designs.
I’m really hoping we get something sub sonic, stealthy with a 1000 mile range for FC/ASW capability like JASSM ER and LRASM
One of the two missiles seems to be a Storm Shadow style cruise missile. I doubt it will quite have 1000 mile (if only) but ought to have very much improved range over SS. The Americans do seem to be going down the “slow and stealthy route” along with some faster types so it is good that we are getting both.
Now that LRASM is to be integrated onto P-8, can we have a small interim buy of LRASM for RAF Poseidons please.