US Air Force B-1 Bomber releases a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a test flight in 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo) The US Nav...
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| US Air Force B-1 Bomber releases a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a test flight in 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo) |
The joint-service team, known as the LRASM Deployment Office (LDO), conducted the test to evaluate LRASM’s low-altitude performance and obstacle avoidance as part of the program’s accelerated development effort.
During the flight from the Sea Test Range in Point Mugu, California, the B-1 Bomber released the LRASM, which navigated a series of pre-planned waypoints to verify aerodynamic performance. In the final portion of the flight the missile detected, tracked and avoided an object that was deliberately placed in the flight pattern to demonstrate its obstacle avoidance algorithms.
The program completed two successful test flights in 2013, and has rapidly transitioned from a DARPA demonstration to a formal, U.S. Navy program of record, with fielding set for 2018.
Current surface-launched, anti-ship missiles face a challenge penetrating sophisticated enemy air defense systems from long range. As a result, warfighters may require multiple missile launches and overhead targeting assets to engage specific enemy warships from beyond the reach of counter-fire systems.
LRASM program aims to reduce dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, network links, and GPS navigation in electronic warfare environments.
Autonomous guidance algorithms should allow the LRASM to use less-precise target cueing data to pinpoint specific targets in the contested domain. The program also focuses on innovative terminal survivability approaches and precision lethality in the face of advanced counter measures.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (LMMFC) is the prime contractor for the demonstration of the LRASM weapon. BAE Systems’ Information and Electronic Systems Integration division is the prime contractor for the design and delivery of LRASM’s onboard sensor systems.
Designed for both surface and air launch, LRASM is an autonomous, precision-guided anti-ship standoff missile based on the successful Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) system.
The stealthy and survivable LRASM subsonic cruise missile can carry a 500 lb payload to over 900 kilometers.
