What Is LRASM? The New US Anti-Ship Missile That Can Outsmart Enemy Warships
What Is LRASM? The New US Anti-Ship Missile That Can Outsmart Enemy Warships Published By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 17:07 IST Unlike many older
What Is LRASM? The New US Anti-Ship Missile That Can Outsmart Enemy Warships Published By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 17:07 IST Unlike many older anti-ship missiles, the LRASM combines jam-resistant GPS and inertial navigation with advanced autonomous target-recognition systems. Rapid Read The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a next-generation, air-launched cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin for the US military. (Photo The US Air Force has successfully tested the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, marking a significant step in strengthening the military’s long-range maritime strike capabilities in contested environments. According to the US Air Force, the test demonstrated the B-2’s ability to employ the advanced anti-ship missile while operating within the range of potential threats, enhancing its capability to achieve strategic objectives during future operations. “The B-2’s impressive performance underscores the US military’s commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges," said General Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of Pacific Air Forces.
“By prioritising counter-maritime strike operations, we can maintain a decisive edge over adversaries, protect our national interests and ensure a free and open Pacific that underpins our global security," he added. What Is LRASM? The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a next-generation, air-launched cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin for the US military. Designed to detect, identify and destroy high-value enemy warships at long distances, the missile forms a key part of the US military’s counter-maritime strategy. Derived from the stealthy AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range), the LRASM features a low-observable design that reduces its radar signature and carries a 1,000-pound blast-fragmentation penetrator warhead capable of inflicting significant damage on heavily defended naval targets. How The LRASM Works? Unlike many older anti-ship missiles, the LRASM combines jam-resistant GPS and inertial navigation with advanced autonomous target-recognition systems. During the terminal phase of flight, it does not rely on active radar to locate its target, making it more difficult to detect or deceive through electronic warfare.
Instead, the missile employs a passive radio-frequency seeker to detect enemy radar emissions alongside an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker that helps identify and confirm its intended target. An onboard computer compares sensor data with a pre-programmed target library, enabling the missile to distinguish enemy warships from civilian vessels with minimal operator input. When multiple LRASMs are launched together, they can communicate via a secure datalink to coordinate their flight paths, avoid air defences and optimise target assignments before striking. To further improve survivability, the missile descends to a sea-skimming flight profile during its final approach, flying just above the ocean surface to remain below an enemy ship’s radar horizon until the last moments before impact. A Key Weapon For Future Naval Warfare The LRASM is currently integrated with platforms including the B-1B Lancer, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and now the B-2 Spirit. Its long range, stealth characteristics and autonomous targeting capabilities make it one of the US military’s most advanced anti-ship weapons for penetrating heavily defended anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) environments.
The BriefWire