Lockheed Martin receives $443.76m to produce AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missiles

The US Department of Defense has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to produce the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The deal has already been officially announced on the Pentagon website.

Here's What We Know

LRASM is an air-launched anti-ship missile. It can hit enemy targets at a distance of 370 km. According to open sources, the cost per missile in fiscal year 2021 was almost $4 million.

The US Department of Defense has signed a $443.76 million contract with Lockheed Martin. Production of the seventh batch of LRASM missiles will take place at plants in Alabama and Florida until January 18, 2027. The deal also involves spare parts, training missiles, test instruments and related equipment.

It is worth noting that the US Navy is now working to integrate the AGM-158C-3 on the P-8A Poseidon. The anti-submarine warfare aircraft will be able to carry four missiles, but not in the weapons compartment, but on an external sling. This is due to the large size of the munitions. The integration process may last until 2025, but the US Air Force wants to do it a year earlier.

Source: Pentagon