The fifth-generation F-35C Lightning II fighter will be able to destroy ships with the AGM-158C LRASM long-range missile

The US Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) wants to arm the fifth-generation F-35C Lightning II fighter with a new missile. If everything works out, the deck aircraft will be able to destroy enemy ships with AGM-158C LRASM.

Here's What We Know

News of the integration of LRASM and JASSM-ER missiles on the fifth-generation F-35 fighters goes back to 2018, but we've heard very little news about it since then. In 2021, Lockheed Martin showed images of a fighter carrying two LRAMS missiles. You can see the rendering below.

After that, US company officials announced that JASSM-ER and LRASM compliance checks had been completed. Lockheed Martin expected work to integrate the missiles to continue for a year. For this purpose, the US Congress has allocated funds for the fiscal year 2022.

Despite all this, so far the only AGM-158C LRAMS carrier in service with the US Navy is the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter. The Pentagon is also working to integrate the missile onto P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft.

LRAMS is a long-range anti-ship missile. It is based on the AGM-158 JASSM Extended Range. Advanced technology allows LRAMS to be used in difficult environments where other missiles cannot be launched.

The munition is equipped with a passive radio frequency homing head, which was developed by BAE Systems. The LRAMS is also equipped with an infrared homing head, which was borrowed from the JASSM-ER. According to some reports, the launch range can exceed 900 kilometres.

In parallel, NAVAIR wants to get a missile that will be superior to LRASM. It is about the development of Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO). The new hypersonic missile for the F-35C could be available by 2029.

Source: Naval News