This month, multiple media outlets reported that the US Navy plans to award a sole-source contract to Lockheed Martin to integrate the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile onto the US Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress fleet, according to a Naval Air Systems Command notice. The effort will encompass missile software updates, flight testing, test-asset repairs, and separation clearances from both internal launchers and wing pylons, enabling the heavy bomber to carry up to 20 stealthy, autonomous anti-ship cruise missiles.
Derived from the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) already deployed on the aircraft, the LRASM uses onboard sensors, electronic support measures, and infrared terminal guidance to strike heavily defended naval targets beyond 320 kilometers without relying on GPS or active radar emissions.