World · East Asia & Pacific · 57 mins ago
US plans to equip B-52 bombers with stealth anti-ship missiles
The US plans to integrate AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles, known as LRASMs, with its B-52 bombers.
The US Naval Air Systems Command said it would negotiate a contract with Lockheed Martin for the work.
It is expected to cover software links between the aircraft and missiles, carrying and release tests, and analysis of problems found during testing.
The missile was developed from a weapon designed to attack land targets and is built to evade radar and strike ships.
Its exact maximum range is not public, but US and Australian authorities describe it as more than 370 kilometres.
It is designed to find and identify targets even if communications are cut or electronic jamming is used.
The planned integration is intended to expand US long-range maritime strike capability in the Indo-Pacific, including in response to China’s navy; the next step is negotiating the contract and carrying out integration and tests.
The US plans to integrate AGM-158C stealth anti-ship missiles with its B-52 strategic bombers.
The US Naval Air Systems Command said it plans to negotiate a contract with Lockheed Martin for the integration work.
The proposed work includes software links between the aircraft and missile, carriage and separation tests, and analysis of problems found during testing.
The missile is designed to evade radar detection and strike high-value ships at long range.
The reported integration is intended to expand US long-range maritime strike capability in the Indo-Pacific.
- Who
- The US Naval Air Systems Command plans to negotiate with Lockheed Martin.
- What
- The US plans to integrate AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles with B-52 bombers.
- When
- The command announced the planned contract negotiations on October 7, local time.
- Where
- The integration is for B-52 bombers; the reported strategic focus is the Indo-Pacific.
- Why
- Military media said the effort is intended to expand US long-range maritime strike capability against China’s navy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US Naval Air Systems Command posted a notice saying it planned to negotiate with Lockheed Martin on integrating AGM-158C missiles with B-52 bombers.
The planned work includes software integration, carriage and separation tests, and analysis of problems encountered during testing.
- Missile
- AGM-158C, also known as LRASM
- Aircraft
- B-52 strategic bomber
- Contractor
- Lockheed Martin
- Reported range
- At least 370 km, according to US and Australian authorities
- Integration notice
- October 7, local time
Sources
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