The U.S. Air Force assigned $176.2 million from a previously awarded contract to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control for a total of 61 long-range anti-ship missiles. This assignment will bring the total cumulative face value of the contract to $621.4 million.
The contractor will produce the new missiles at operations in Orlando, Fla.; and Troy, Ala., with full delivery expected by July 2027.
Lockheed Martin’s LRASM technology is a “precision-guided, intelligent” design developed from the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) as a weapon system to interdict various surface threats at very long range, “navigating semi-autonomously to the target, and delivering a precise payload from safe, standoff range.”
Lockheed is currently executing the accelerated acquisition contract for the LRASM Deployment Office, and maturing technologies delivered as an early operational capability for the USAF B-1B bomber and U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F fighter aircraft.
Also, Lockheed is developing a surface-launch missile variant of the LRASM. It reports that LRASM brings additional strike capabilities to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
Future LRASM technology will reduce dependence on ISR platforms, network links, and GPS navigation during electronic warfare, according to Lockheed.
