Pentagon renews stalled effort to integrate LRASM stealthy anti-ship missile with B-52 bombers
Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile is seen as being a key weapon in any conflict in the Pacific region.
Sinking enemy ships may soon be the next mission for the US Air Force’s Boeing B-52 heavy bombers.
Although bomber aircraft are typically used to drop large amounts of ordnance on land targets, the Pentagon is looking to expand the remit of the Stratofortress to include the use of Washington’s premier anti-ship weapon.
A solicitation released by the US Navy on 7 October outlines plans to integrate the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) with the B-52H fleet. The navy, which manages LRASM procurement, is signalling it intends to award a sole-source contract for the work to Lockheed’s Missiles and Fire Control (LMMFC) unit.
“LMMFC alone has the requisite knowledge, experience, and technical data that can meet the Government’s requirements within the required timeframe. Accordingly, LMMFC is the only known, qualified, responsible source that can fulfill the requirements specified herein,” Naval Air Systems Command says.
The solicitation notes the effort will include LRASM software updates, associated testing, test asset repair, and failure review boards. A firm deal has not yet been reached on the project, meaning no cost or timeline has been agreed to.
Lockheed has until 22 October to submit a response to the notice. The company declined to comment on any specifics related to LRASM integration with the B-52.
However, Lockheed says it remains “committed to supporting our customers on current and future LRASM platform integration efforts to enhance combat readiness and capability”, specifically pointing to its work with carrier-capable F-35C stealth fighter.
That campaign completed the first stage of flight testing in June.
Although not officially certified, the B-2 stealth bomber successfully deployed the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile during live fire exercises in the Philippine Sea in June 2026. Source: US Air Force
If the latest project moves forward, it would not be the first time the Pentagon has explored integrating the stealthy LRASM with the B-52H. The US Air Force had been pursuing that outcome as far back as 2019 but ultimately walked away.
Lockheed confirmed to FlightGlobal in 2023 that work on B-52H integration was no longer underway. At the time, the company had just announced plans to double production of the LRASM and the closely related JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) by adding a second factory for the two cruise missiles.
The JASSM is already certified for use with the B-52H. Photos from the early weeks of Washington’s air war with Iran indicated B-52Hs were salvoing large quantities of JASSM munitions. A single B-52H can carry up to 20 JASSM weapons: eight on its internal launcher and six on each wing using hardpoint pylons.
Expanding that capability to include the LRASM would offer not just tactical but also larger strategic benefits to the US in any Pacific conflict.
A 2022 unclassified wargame developed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies concluded that equipping American bombers with LRASMs would be among the most important US capabilities in defending against a Taiwan invasion scenario.
Retired US Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian led that wargame for CSIS and says that finding remains accurate nearly four years later.
“Integrating LRASM with the B-52 is critical for US success in a conflict with China in the western Pacific,” Cancian told FlightGlobal on 9 October. “The B-52 can carry a large number of missiles and be based outside China’s defensive zone.”
“Aircraft based inside China’s defensive zone are vulnerable to missile attack on the ground. Aircraft firing shorter-range missiles must get closer to the target and are susceptible to Chinese air defences,” he adds.
Testing is underway with the US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force to certify the LRASM anti-ship missile for use with the Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. Source: Royal Australian Air Force
The LRASM is already certificated for launch from the USAF’s Boeing B-1B bomber and the navy’s Boeing F/A-18E/F strike fighter.
Lockheed is also pursuing type approval with its fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter and the Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.
Although not officially certificated for the LRASM, the Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bomber launched the LRASM during live-fire exercises in the Philippine Sea earlier this year. The B-2 is also able to deploy the simpler, cheaper Quicksink weapon system, which combines standard 907kg (2,000lb) Mk 84 and 226kg Mk 82 gravity bombs with a bolt-on guidance kit.
The goal with these weapons is to preserve the more capable but less plentiful LRASM cruise missiles for use against the most important targets.
Currently, only around 1,000 units annually can be produced of both the JASSM and LRASM, which Lockheed assembles on the same production lines.
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