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1st Phase of AGM-158C LRASM Anti-Ship Missile Inflight Tests on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Completed

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Naval Forces News - USA
 
 
 
1st Phase of AGM-158C LRASM Anti-Ship Missile Inflight Tests on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Completed
 
The U.S. Navy's NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) just released a new picture showing a Super Hornet from Patuxent River’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 facility carrying a model of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a flight test Jan. 6 over Patuxent River, Md. This flight completed the first phase of inflight loads testing for the weapon program. With load testing completed, the U.S. Navy will now focus on noise and vibration tests.
     
The U.S. Navy's NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) just released a new picture showing a Super Hornet from Patuxent River’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 facility carrying a model of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a flight test Jan. 6 over Patuxent River, Md. This flight completed the first phase of inflight loads testing for the weapon program. With load testing completed, the U.S. Navy will now focus on noise and vibration tests.An AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) model integrated on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Jan. 6 at NAS Patuxent River, Md. The program's flight test team is conducting testing to ensure proper loading, unloading and handling of the LRASM on the F/A-18 E/F. (U.S. Navy photo)
     
In August 2015, the U.S. Navy began initial integration testing of its Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at Patuxent River’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 facility.

Based on the airframe of the proven Lockheed Martin JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile), the AGM-158C LRASM shares the designation of this land attack cruise missile too: AGM-158A being the designation of JASSM and AGM-158B being the designation of the extanded range version, JASSM-ER.

Integration efforts and flight testing will continue over the next few years at both NAS Patuxent River and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake to clear LRASM for flight operations on the aircraft. When operational, LRASM will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high threat maritime targets. LRASM is set to be fielded on the B-1B Bomber in 2018 and the F/A-18 E/F in 2019.
     
The U.S. Navy's NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) just released a new picture showing a Super Hornet from Patuxent River’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 facility carrying a model of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a flight test Jan. 6 over Patuxent River, Md. This flight completed the first phase of inflight loads testing for the weapon program. With load testing completed, the U.S. Navy will now focus on noise and vibration tests.Close up view of the LRASM model (black) fitted on the Super Hornet
     
The LRASM is a long-range subsonic cruise missile designed for better range and survivability than current anti-ship weaponry. It is carried with the wings and tail stowed and then deployed once released from the aircraft. This missile development program is a joint effort of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Naval Air Systems Command and the United States Air Force.

To learn more: Link to LRASM Long Range Anti-Ship Missile technical datasheet