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The world’s top air-to-surface missiles

From Lockheed Martin's JASSM-ER to Raduga's Kh-58UShKE, Airforce Technology lists the world’s top air-to-surface missiles by range.

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World’s Best Most Destructive Air-to-Surface Missiles

From Lockheed Martin ‘s JASSM-ER to Raduga’s Kh-58UShKE, Airforce Technology lists the world’s top air-to-surface missiles by range. The list excludes nuclear-armed air-to-surface missiles and air-launched ballistic missiles.

Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-ER (JASSM-ER) – 926km

The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) was developed by Lockheed Martin primarily for the US defence forces. The missile is currently in service with the US Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Finnish Air Force, and Polish Air Force.

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The long-range, air-to-surface missile uses infrared seeker and digital anti-jam GPS/inertial measurement unit guidance to engage high-value, well-fortified, stationary, and mobile targets in highly defended environments.

The JASSM-ER weighs approximately 1,000kg and can carry a 450kg blast fragmentation warhead. It can engage targets at a maximum distance of 926km with pinpoint accuracy. The missile is compatible with B-1B, B-52, F-16, and F-15E aircraft.

LRASM – 555km

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a new generation anti-ship standoff missile based on the combat-proven JASSM-ER missile. Lockheed Martin is offering the LRASM in air and surface-launched configurations.

The subsonic missile employs semi-autonomous guidance and a multi-mode electro-optical seeker. It carries a 450kg penetrating blast fragmentation warhead to a maximum range of 555km.

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The LRASM can penetrate advanced integrated air defence systems while its long-range ensures the engagement of hostile targets that are beyond the reach of direct counter-fire weapons.

Taurus KEPD 350 – 500km

The TAURUS KEPD 350 is a modern, high-precision modular stand-off missile system offered by TAURUS Systems, a joint venture of LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme and Saab Dynamics.

It is in service with the German, Spanish and Republic of Korea air forces.

The air-launched cruise missile is guided by a combination of GPS/INS with terrain reference and image-based navigation to engage strongly hardened and high-value point and area targets within a 500km range.

The missile carries a 481kg dual-stage warhead to destroy stationary and semi-stationary targets in all weather conditions. Powered by a high-thrust turbofan engine, the KEPD 350 offers high manoeuvrability at low and high subsonic speeds.

BrahMos Air-Launched Missile – 300km

The BrahMos air-launched missile forms part of the BrahMos medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile family developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of NPO Mashinostroyeniya of Russia and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.

The Indian Air Force test-fired the missile for the first time from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft in November 2017. The BrahMos air-launched configuration employs an inertial navigation system, active radar homing, and GPS/satellite guidance systems.

Powered by a solid-fuel rocket booster and a liquid-fuelled ramjet engine, the supersonic missile delivers a conventional warhead weighing up to 300kg for a maximum range of 300km.

RBS-15 – 300km

The RBS-15 Gungnir is a long-range air-to-surface/anti-ship missile developed by Saab. The latest variant of the missile, RBS15 Mk4, is available in air-launched, ship-launched, and land-based platform-launched configurations.

The missile measures 4.35m-long and weighs 810kg with boosters. It is equipped with active radar seeker to engage manoeuvring ships at sea and stationary land targets. The subsonic missile uses INS and anti-jam navigation to engage targets at a maximum range of 300km.

The RBS-15 missile carries a 200kg high-explosive blast and pre-fragmented warhead. Powered by a turbojet engine, the missile can engage targets in adverse weather and cluttered environments.

Kh-59MK2 – 285km

The Kh-59MK2 extended-range air-to-surface missile is a variant of the Kh-59M TV-guided air-launched missile developed by ‘Raduga’ State Engineering Design Bureau of Russia. It can be integrated with MiG-35, Su-30MK, Su-32, Su-35, and Su-24M aircraft.

The missile is guided by an active radar seeker to engage radar-contrast surface targets at a maximum range of 285km, during day or night, in adverse weather conditions. It weighs 930kg at launch and delivers a 320kg penetrating warhead.

Powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor and a turbofan engine, the Kh-59MK missile can travel at a maximum speed of 1,050km/h.

Kh-35UE – 260km

The Kh-35UE air-to-surface/anti-ship missile is a modern variant of the Kh-35E air-launched missile. It is in service with the Russian Navy, Indian Navy, and the Vietnamese People’s Navy.

The high-subsonic missile offers improved performance and range than its predecessor. It is guided by inertial and satellite navigation systems, as well as an active-passive radar seeker, which ensure better accuracy, and resistance against jamming. The advanced seeker further offers a 50km lock-on range compared with the 20km range of the Kh-35E.

Fitted with a 145kg high-explosive fragmentation penetrator warhead, the Kh-35UE missile is available in aircraft and helicopter-launched versions, which can strike targets within the range of 260km.

Storm Shadow/SCALP – 250km

The Storm Shadow/SCALP is a long-range deep strike missile designed by MBDA to meet the challenging needs of pre-programmed strikes against high-value fixed and mobile land-based targets. The combat-proven missile is deployed from Typhoon, Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Tornado aircraft fleet operated by six air forces.

It uses guidance from GPS/INS and terrain reference navigation systems, as well as an infrared (IR) imaging seeker and automatic target recognition to engage targets with minimal collateral damage.

Powered by a turbojet engine, the Storm Shadow missile can carry a blast/penetrator warhead weighing up to 450kg. It is capable of attacking targets at a maximum distance of 250km.

Stand-Off Missile (SOM) – 250km

The Stand-Off Missile (SOM) family, manufactured by Roketsan, includes SOM-A, SOM-B1, and SOM-B2 missile variants, which can be launched by F-4 and F-16 fighter jets. The missile is in service with the Turkish Air Force and Azerbaijan Air Force.

The SOM-A and B1 versions deliver a 230kg high-explosive blast/fragmentation warhead while the B2 version can carry a 230kg tandem penetrator warhead. Each variant is guided by an image infrared seeker, as well as GPS, INS, terrain reference, and image-based navigation systems.

The cruise missile is propelled by a turbojet engine, which ensures a high-subsonic speed of Mach 0.9. It can engage heavily defended surface or mobile naval targets at a maximum range of 250km.

Kh-58UShKE – 245km

The Kh-58UShKE anti-radiation missile was developed by ‘Raduga’ State Machine-Building Design Bureau to engage the radar infrastructure of Hawk, Nike Hercules, Patriot, and other surface-to-air missiles (SAM) systems.

The supersonic missile features a passive radar homing head and an automatic control system based on a platform-free navigation system. It can be launched from catapult launchers fitted to the external stations of modern aircraft such as MiG-35, Su-30MK, Su-32, and Su-35.

The Kh-58UShKE missile weighs 650kg and carries a 149kg high-explosive warhead to a maximum range of 245km.

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• Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW)
• Post published: June 20, 2024
• Post category: Complex Weapons
• Post comments: 2 Comments

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This is post 23 of 24 in the series “Complex Weapons”

Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM)

Aster surface to air missile (sea viper), brimstone guided missile.

• Common Anti Air Missile (CAMM)
• Fire Shadow Loitering Munition
• SPEAR Missile
• Storm Shadow
• Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)
• Harpoon Missile
• Martlet (Lightweight Multirole Missile)
• Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM
• Exactor (Spike NLOS)
• Starstreak High Velocity Missile
• Tomahawk Cruise Missile
• Land Precision Strike
• Mounted Close Combat Overwatch (MCCO)
• Fibre Optic Guided Missiles (EFOG-M, Polyphem, and others)
• Anti-Tank Mortar Bombs (Merlin, STRIX and Bussard)
• Swingfire ATGW

The FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon) is a joint UK, French and (latterly) Italian development programme to develop a replacement for a number of air and surface launched weapons.

In UK Service, FC/ASW will replace Storm Shadow and Harpoon Block 1C (which has been replaced as an interim measure by the Interim Surface to-Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW), met by the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile)

It is also, the French FMAN/FMC (Futur missile anti-navire/Futur missile de croisière), that is intended to replace Scalp (Storm Shadow) and Exocet.

Italy joined the programme, to replace their Storm Shadow and Teseo missiles.

Table of Contents

FC/ASW History

The UK The Selected Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) programme was in the concept phase by 2005, although internal work had started before that, as a means of defining a number of air-launched weapons as part of the Complex Weapons portfolio.

They were all to be air-launched stand-off weapons that could be used against a wide range of stationery and fast-moving targets day or night, and with the ability to defeat countermeasures.

It was defined as;

Selective Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) is the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) research and development request for highly accurate, beyond visual range re-targetable weapons which can receive target information updates over a data-link (network) in near real-time as part of the UK’s Network Enabled Capability (NEC)

SPEAR has been split into several capability numbers that have evolved since then.

SPEAR Capability 5 was initially defined as a longer-range replacement for Storm Shadow for Typhoon and the F-35B.

Some initial concept work was completed in 2005 but, the majority of the complex weapons team were concentrated on the other SPEAR components (Storm Shadow midlife extension, Brimstone and SPEAR Cap 3)

From 2010, the MoD and DGA recognised that there was likely to be a convergence of requirements and started to explore how requirements could be harmonised. As part of the 2010 Lancaster House Agreement between the UK and France, they agreed to a ten-year strategic plan for the UK and French missile sector. 

This plan included a midlife upgrade/renovation of Storm Shadow/Scalp and ASTER missiles, what would become Sea Venom and a concept study for FC/ASW.

In 2011, and as part of their wider Concept Visions programme, MBDA released marketing materials that described a future product called CVS401 Perseus.

The advanced, supersonic, agile and stealthy airframe is powered by a revolutionary ramjet motor built around a highly compact Continuous Detonation Wave Engine making it an unrivalled penetrator of defences. Perseus is a perfect weapon against fast relocatable targets when combined with the advanced dual mode sensor package.

The design was for a 5m long missile that weighed less than 800 kg, and had a range of 300 km.

It was a high supersonic missile, Mach 3+, and included two independently guided effectors ejected from the payload module.

A third warhead remained on-board for a dispersed lethal effect on multi-elements targets such as a large warship or a ground-based missile system.

Although not directly linked to SPEAR Cap 5, many observed that it could be used to inform the requirement.

At the 2012 Lancaster House Summit, an initial study contract was awarded to MBDA to explore the joint requirements and establish whether a common concept approach could be developed, whilst maintaining operational sovereignty and generating prosperity for both nations.

The UK/France Defence and Security Summit in 2014 resulted in several decisions, including this one on Storm Shadow/SCALP.

Progress has also been made on the SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow refurbishment and upgrade programme where both governments have agreed to share data associated with national concept and assessment phase programmes. We aim to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding for staffing by early summer 2014. Looking further ahead, we continue to work to progress the joint concept study assessing possible solutions to meet our long-term requirements to replace Harpoon, Exocet, and Storm Shadow/SCALP. The concept study is due to be completed later this summer

This new missile is notionally designed to meet the SPEAR Cap 5 requirement, intended to be in service between 2030 and 2035.

Later in 2014, further details emerged as the preliminary concept study concluded.

Janes confirmed the name of the joint UK/France missile would be Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon (FCASW) / Futur Missile Antinavire/Futur Missile de Croisière (FMAN/FMC).

MBDA subsequently reported a successful design review for the Anglo-French FC/ASW (Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon)

The conclusion of this Key Review makes it possible to select the most promising missile concepts in order to meet the requirements expressed by both nations’ armed forces.  More in-depth studies will now be conducted on these concepts with the aim of identifying the solutions that will be selected at the end of the concept phase in 2020 in order to answer both nations’ requirements for long range anti-ship missions, suppression of enemy air defences and deep strike. The conclusions of this study will also make it possible to establish the road maps for maturing the technologies required, and to launch any follow on assessment phase. This new phase will demonstrate the necessary maturity of the weapon system and its key components, to be followed by the development and production phase in the 2024 timeframe, so that current weapons systems can be replaced in accordance with required timescales.

Both nations confirmed their intent to proceed at the Amiens summit in March 2016

Whilst both national timetables converged completely for the deep strike requirement, both SCALP and Storm Shadow were planned to be out of service in the same timeframe, there was a divergence for the anti ship requirement. With the Harpoon planned to leave Royal Navy service before Exocet left the Marine National.

The Out of Service Date (OSD) for Harpoon was planned to be 2018, the In-Service Support contract with Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd ran to November 2018.

This changed with a slight extension to 2023 to retain it in service, announced in early 2017.

The Royal Navy continuously reviews the capabilities it requires. While work is in hand to consider options for the replacement of the Harpoon missile system, the Navy has decided to extend its service life beyond 2018. 2017 Written Answer

A three year €100m contract for further concept development of FC/ASW was awarded to MBDA in March 2017, but the UK and France contributing 50% each.

On the 28th of August 2019, the MoD  issued  a tender note for the Interim Surface to Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW)

The TTH project team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, hereafter referred to as the authority, has a requirement for the provision and introduction into service of the I-SSGW system as an interim replacement for the existing system that is going out of service. The I-SSGW is to provide a ship launched over the horizon precision anti-ship capability and a terrain following precision maritime land attack capability. It is anticipated that the I-SSGW capability will operate on X 5 Type 23 (Towed Array) frigates capable of concurrent Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) operations in protection of a formed Maritime Tasking Group, for a 10-year period.

The terrain-following requirement likely excluded Harpoon and Exocet.

It was speculated that bidders might include the Lockheed Martin Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM), Saab’s RBS15 Mk4 and the Gabriel V from Thales/IAI called the Sea Serpent.

A March 2021 Written Answer provided an update on the Interim Surface to Surface Guided Weapon System (I-SSGW)

The interim surface-to-surface guided weapon will replace the Royal Navy’s existing Harpoon missile capability. There was a healthy response from Industry to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire and we are planning to proceed to issue an Invitation to negotiate to the down selected bidders later this year.

In February 2022, the MoD confirmed I-SSGW had been  cancelled ,

The industry was formally notified by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) earlier this month that the Interim Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon (I-SSGW) programme had been cancelled. This decision came despite a commitment in the March 2021 Defence Command Paper to procure a replacement for the RN’s legacy ship-launched Boeing Harpoon Block 1C missile.

In somewhat of a reversal, a Defence Select Committee evidence session on the 5th July 2022 saw this statement from the Secretary of State for Defence (Ben Wallace MP)

there is an interim plan to replace Harpoon in between what we might settle upon in the long term. I can’t provide details yet as I’m not sure when it will be put out to tender, but there is a plan to do so.

At about the same time, a number of defence media sources speculated that the Royal Navy favoured the Kongsberg/Raytheon Naval Strike Missile.

July 2021 confirmed the planning assumption for FCASW in-service dates

The Planning Assumption for Service Entry for Future Cruise /Anti-Ship Weapon on the T26 Frigate and Typhoon aircraft is 2028 and 2030 respectively.

FC/ASW was to meet three distinct requirements:

• Anti-ship strikes;
• Elimination of enemy air defences
• Deep strikes against critical targets

FC/ASW evolved along two paths, with two missiles being developed.

Although there will be a high degree of commonality, one will be optimised for high speed, and the other for low observability.

This would give rise to an interim Royal Navy requirement.

Further development work was announced in February 2022

Le Délégué général pour l’armement Joël Barre, le directeur 🇬🇧 @DefenceES & le PDG @byMBDA, ont lancé les travaux de préparation du futur missile antinavire et futur missile de croisière (FMAN-FMC) après signature d’un accord étatique et notification de contrats #NotreDéfense pic.twitter.com/Xbs1j6OO3u — Direction générale de l'armement 🇫🇷 (@DGA) February 17, 2022

The two missile approach was formerly confirmed by these announcements.

In November 2022, Kongsberg and the MoD  confirmed  the selection of the Naval Strike Missile for both Type 23 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers.

UK and Norwegian authorities have today announced that they have agreed to further strengthen existing defence ties. The Royal Navy will receive the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), outfitted on Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers, in a collaboration with the Norwegian government.

And from the Royal Navy

Eleven Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers will be fitted with the sea-skimming Naval Strike Missile, capable of knocking out major enemy warships at ranges of more than 100 miles away. The MOD today ordered the missile system as the interim replacement for the existing Harpoon, which reaches the end of its active life next year. The Naval Strike Missile will plug the gap between Harpoon and the advent of its permanent successor, the ‘future offensive surface weapon’, which will become the Fleet’s premier long-range, heavy duty anti-ship missile in 2028, carried by the Royal Navy’s next-generation Type 26 frigates, currently under construction on the Clyde. UK defence firms Babcock and BAE Systems will install NSM on the 11 warships, with the first ship due to be operational by the end of next year.

Worth noting that the requirement name for the Royal Navy FC/ASW is Future Offensive Support Weapon (FOSW)

Italy joined the FC/ASW programme in 2023, signing a letter of intent , followed by additional funding the year after.

It was speculated the UK would favour the stealth variant, and France, the high-speed variant, although this was not officially confirmed.

The first imagery of a Royal Navy vessel with a Naval Strike Missile appeared in December 2023.

Having shared some stills earlier, here's a video of Duke Class (Type 23) frigate HMS Somerset of the Royal Navy inbound to HMNB Devonport, Plymouth this morning with Naval Strike Missile (NSM) fitted. Replaced Harpoon ASM. Video @StephenJagger4 pic.twitter.com/gBPiTFzuSI — Warships IFR (@WarshipsIFR) December 18, 2023

A 2024 Parliamentary Answer confirmed the current status of FC/ASW.

The Future Cruise / Anti-Ship weapon programme is in the third year of the assessment phase and joint Anglo-France work is designing novel technological advances in missile capability. Significant progress has been made on suitable candidate weapon systems to fulfil the Naval and Air requirements. At this stage of the programme, work is focused on reducing technical and schedule risk, prior to the potential Demonstration and Manufacturing phases, and preparations are underway to prepare towards Full Business Case. Additionally, progress is also being made to explore bringing Italy on board as a partner nation, with a Letter of Intent signed in June 2023. The planning assumption for service entry for the maritime-launched Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon is 2028; a decision around which options, including off the shelf choices, should fulfil this requirement is ongoing, and will be confirmed in due course in the Full Business Case

Work continues, interestingly from above, ‘off the shelf’ options remain on the table.

FC/ASW Capabilities

FC/ASW remains subject to a great deal of speculation, with little or no confirmed details.

We do know there are two versions.

An air launched high subsonic variant focussed on defeating advanced enemy air defences and hardened critical targets, that the UK is leading on.

A vertically launched high supersonic anti shipping naval version that France is leading on.

(I will add more in subsequent updates)

FC/ASW Speculation

No announcement on the demonstration or manufacturing phases have been made as at June 2024, and unlikely until after the 2024 General Election.

There is clarity with the air launched variant to replace Storm Shadow (SPEAR Cap 5) and SCALP, the requirements are obvious, and the path to service is clear.

There are no indications yet whether this missile will have any ground or naval vessel launch options, although it seems unlikely, with the working assumption that it will only arm Typhoon and Tempest aircraft, not F-35B.

This would align with the original SPEAR Cap 5 requirement from 2005, and congruent with Storm Shadow stock reduction via UK usage and those gifted to Ukraine.

There is, however, less clarity, at least for the UK, on the surface launched ant-ship variant

Questions remain unanswered on whether it will have Mk41 VLS compatibility (for UK future surface combat vessels), or only SYLVER or deck mount. Furthermore, It is uncertain if there will be a submarine launched variant (VLS or encapsulated) or if there are any options for aircraft (fixed or rotary) launch, and finally, what land attack capability it will have.

The Royal Navy has the Naval Strike Missile in service, but this is not Mk41 compatible (although Kongsberg has proposed this for some time).

Given the likely preponderance of Mk41 VLS on future RN vessels, it seems perfectly logical to specify this as a key user requirement.

France does not use Mk41.

This creates an obvious problem, if the RN wants Mk41 integration for the anti ship version of FC/ASW (FOSW), it will have to pay for it.

Other Mk41 options include the Block VA Tomahawk (MST) anti ship variant or the AGM-158C LRASM.

There seems much that is unclear for the RN half of FC/ASW.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

The SPEAR programme's aim of delivering a weapon system capable of being used against stationery targets did seem to be a very niche capability.

Worth noting that the French have also previously stated that the Supersonic missile will have an air to air capability against high value targets like AWACS and AAR at extreme ranges. Which presumably implies that it will be air launched at some point as well…..

Whether this is another variant or an adaptation of the standard missile's guidance I have no idea…

Like you say air launched subsonic has a clear role, and I suspect a clear market, to replace Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG (which are performing exceptionally well in Ukraine), VL launched supersonic has a role to play as well, as a replacement for Harpoon/Exocet/Teseo…and for export sales…which MBDA France have been living off from Exocet for decades….but which VL will that be launched from..?

But….as you also rightly say, there is a degree of disjointedness about the whole thing…some thoughts…

– France has MdCN on its frigates and Subs, and they're a recent purchase…so their interest in the Subsonic, Stealthy long range missile for land attack from ships or subs 'might' be limited in the near-mid term. – MBDA has also just come up with the concept of a land launched MdCN as the Land Cruise Missile (LCM)…which again doesn't sound that joined up… – The RN has invested in NSM to close the AShM gap…understandable in the short-medium term (what else is there that is modern and available?), with NSM clearing up as the 'go to' Western anti ship missile everywhere, so how much of a market will there be for FC/ASW in its anti-ship guise by the time it arrives? And we all know how 'interim' purchases usually turn out… – With NSM on RN ships its not a massive step to JSM on the F-35….integration of any munition is expensive so if its already paid for by someone else… – At some point someone will integrate JSM on P-8…Norwegian's and Australians have looked at this (but to be fair its gone quiet). – US is out there with LRASM clearing up some sales, but also focusing on long range, stealthy for anti shipping…not supersonic, medium ranged… – Both UK, France and Italy have a need for air launched…from multiple platforms. But land launch, sub launch and, most importantly, VL from ships are confused…which VL? We know France wants Sylver A70…but UK and exports will want Mk.41 Strike Length…

FCASW 'could' have been everything for everyone…2 missiles….land attack, anti-shipping, extreme long range air to air for use against force multipliers (supersonic only), VL, sub launched encapsulated, canister and air launch…but I'd guess now that whilst I suspect the 2 variants you highlight will be a success (llong range land attack from aircraft, supersonic anti-ship from VL) we'll look back and see an opportunity missed to do a whole lot more….I hope I'm proven wrong though…

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First Images of F-35 Carrying AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile Released

The U.S. Navy has started the testing of the LRASM anti-ship weapon on the F-35C, with the first captive carry test flights in early September to evaluate the integration of the weapon and the airframe.

The U.S. military has released the first images of the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) being carried in flight by an F-35C test aircraft from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. The two flights captured in the photos, which took place on Sep. 9 and 10, 2024, mark the beginning of the testing of the weapon on the F-35C.

The first test flights as part of the integration effort conducted by the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force (Pax ITF) showed the F-35C carrying externally two LRASMs on the innermost hardpoints, in addition to two inert AIM-9X on the wingtips. Interestingly, this is the first time the LRASM is seen with the same white paint of the JASSM from which it is derived, compared to previous photos where it was usually painted black.

These trials are usually called ‘captive carriage’ trials and are meant to test the weapon’s impact on the airframe in different flight envelopes and parameters, and verify both the systems’ core structural integrity. This represents the first phase of live flight testing before moving to in-flight drop testing to assess the weapon’s behavior during the separation and then the full weapon testing to check the entire engagement profile.

The anti-ship capability is vital in a conflict with China in the Pacific, where PLA Navy warships would be the primary combatants and targets facing U.S. and allied forces. The LRASM also saw a “historic” test in partnership with its developer Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy on Apr. 3, when four of the missiles were “simultaneously in flight.” The War Zone reported that it was a pair of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets that launched the four LRASMs.

The caption accompanying the photograph said that the Pax ITF flew two days of test flights earlier this month as part of the ongoing efforts to certify the F-35C to carry the LRASM. The first two flights allowed to evaluate flutter, loads, and flying qualities with two AGM-158 loaded on external stations, said the caption. The LRASMs in both the pictures also have a blue band on the front, indicating they are inert variants.

The Pax ITS described the LRASM as “a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets.” The Pax River ITF’s is in charge of the planning, coordination, and conduction of safe, secure, and efficient flight testing for both the F-35B and C variants, and provide necessary and timely data to support program verification/certification and fleet operational requirements.

Beside checking the impact on flight characteristics during carriage and electronic launches, confirming the links between the fire control and missile ejection devices on the hardpoints, the testing might also develop or inform specific launch parameters to obtain the missile’s optimal performance.

Glossy black VX-9 Vandy 1 carrying glossy black live LRASM, how cool is that pic.twitter.com/wLzUT8ua0U — Fighterman_FFRC (@Fighterman_FFRC) August 16, 2024

JASSM & F-35

The AGM-158C LRASM is the anti-ship variant of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). It is designed to be carried by both the F-35B Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) used by the U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy’s the F-35C and F/A-18 Super Hornet carrier catapult-launched jets.

As seen in the photos, the LRASM is being carried by the F-35C externally on the wing hardpoints since it is too large to fit inside its weapons bays. The weapon would face a similar issue with the F-35B too, which has smaller bays.

The original JASSM has several variants, including the baseline AGM-158A JASSM that is no longer in production. The AGM-158B JASSM-ER is the baseline of the extended range version, whose AGM-158B-2 and the AGM-158B-3 variants have different and upgraded electronic circuitry, guidance, navigation and seeker systems.

According to The War Zone , the AGM-158D JASSM-ER has a WDL (Weapon Data Link) capability that allows retargeting/retasking the missile mid-flight. The capability was mentioned in the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget documentation and is still under development.

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Similarly to the LRASM with the F-35C, the F-35A also can’t carry the AGM-158A JASSM internally. Because of this, the U.S is acquiring the Norwegian Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace’s (KDA) Joint Strike Missile (JSM) in a $141 million contract that was announced on May 31, 2024. The JSM, the land-strike version of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), is compatible with the F-35 internal weapons bays.

LRASM & U.S. Navy

With the emerging maritime theater in the western Pacific before China, the U.S. Navy would need to bear down significant mass in anti-shipping strikes against PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Navy warships, or at least a single or a few surface combatants, to achieve localized naval superiority. Missiles that can change directions and flight paths at unpredictable intervals to evade Chinese Air Defense (AD) systems would be invaluable, and particularly lethal when launched together in salvos.

Once launched, LRASM guides to an initial point using a GPS guidance system and employs onboard sensors to locate, identify, and provide terminal guidance to the target. Semi-autonomous guidance algorithms will allow it to use less-precise target cueing data to pinpoint specific targets in the contested domain.

Lockheed Martin described the April’s 12th Integrated Test Event (ITE-12) with the four LRASMs and the F/A-18 Super Hornets as demonstrating the weapon’s “inherent high-end lethality from mission planning through kill chain integration and its effects on the target.”

There are currently three variants which comprise the OASuW Increment 1 program, designated LRASM 1.0, LRASM 1.1, and LRASM C-3. The LRASM 1.0 variant, which was fielded with early operational capability in 2019, has already been integrated on the B-1B Lancer and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The newer LRASM 1.1 variant was fielded last year and is undergoing Initial Operational Test & Evaluation this year, according to the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation’s report.

The successful ITE-12 test we previously mentioned was considered as a graduation exercise for the missiles’ latest configuration and lays the foundation for increased capabilities to come, said NAVAIR. The AGM-158C LRASM is also being integrated on the P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

Although external carriage will sacrifice stealth, a fleet of F-35s and F/A-18 Super Hornets with possibly longer-range variants of the LRASM, able to receive target location updates from both the launching fighters and own and Allied naval, air combat and surveillance assets, would be a tremendous capability. The current AGM-158C LRASM reaches just over 321 km with a 453 kg blast fragmentation warhead.

Programs to extend the JASSM and the LRASM range in general are very much being pursued, as the greater reach is always welcome since it keeps the launching platforms further away from enemy assets. Military Aerospace reported on May 14 that the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced a potential $288 million order to Lockheed Martin for developing an AGM-158C-3 extended-range LRASM. This is envisaged to have a range of 1,600 km.

JASSM XR https://t.co/iEiDOo0r51 pic.twitter.com/MHSaX3Isuy — Alex 🌻 (@alexgarcialonso) September 15, 2024

Lockheed Martin also recently unveiled a mock-up of the AGM-158 Extreme Range (XR) during the U.S. Air Force’s Air, Space and Cyber 2024 gathering. Although an internally-funded initiative, it is unlikely the DoD would not be interested in longer-range variants of their primary air-launched standoff surface-strike weapon.

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Moskva’s sinking, the rise of anti-ship cruise missiles and what that means for the US Navy

On April 14, Ukraine once again shocked the world when it launched two Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles, scoring decisive hits that sunk the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva . Named for the Russian capital Moscow, this once-symbol of Russian naval supremacy in the war on Ukraine carried a crew of roughly 500 and was fully equipped with an arsenal of anti-ship, anti-aircraft and air defense missiles. Despite its foreboding appearance, this pride of the Russian Federation was unable to defend itself against a small number ASCMs, and it paid the ultimate price.

The fallout from the Moskva sinking has been many faceted. First and foremost, it was a strategic success for Ukraine — taking Russia’s most lethal warship out of the war and forcing the remaining fleet to retreat farther away from the coast. Second, the sinking is an inescapable political problem for Russian President Vladimir Putin. His misinformation campaign within Russia, unable to suppress the news of this casualty, now must answer for this destroyed vessel and the well-being of its crew.

There is another message from this catastrophe, however, that both the U.S. Navy and Congress must consider when faced with making long-term spending decisions for our 21st century fleet: If a relatively low-cost, short-range missile such as Neptune can destroy one of the largest warships in the Russian Navy, how do we ensure that ships in our fleet are not doomed to the same fate?

This question becomes even more serious when considering the sophistication of China’s anti-ship missile technology , which significantly dwarfs the range and firepower of Ukraine’s Neptune missile. By way of comparison, the Neptune has a range of roughly 200 miles, travels at subsonic speed and has a warhead that is designed to cripple but not necessarily sink a large ship. China has anti-ship missiles like the Dong Feng 21, or DF21 — whose range is roughly 1,000 miles — and the DF26, whose range is roughly 2,500 miles.

If Ukraine’s Neptune ASCMs upended Russia’s naval presence in the Black Sea with ease, clearly the U.S. Navy and Congress must consider whether our pacing threat is capable of the same.

The U.S. Navy has been furiously working on countermeasures, such as longer-range radars and integrated air and missile defense systems, both of which are being incorporated into new ship construction. The Navy also expressed confidence in the contribution of our submarine fleet with a higher budget for submarine construction and plans to extend the life of older Los Angeles-class subs.

These vessels are relatively impervious to the ASCM threat; our surface fleet is not. Today’s surface fleet must be capable to detect, track and engage our adversaries’ most capable anti-ship missiles, and have the structural integrity to survive damage sustained in combat.

President Joe Biden’s proposed Navy budget reflects the need to think through this strategic challenge. On the one hand, the request of $28 billion for Navy shipbuilding is the largest ever. By way of comparison, then-President Donald Trump’s last budget in 2020 requested $19 billion. But Biden’s request also seeks to decommission a number of legacy surface ships that predate the threat posed by modern anti-ship missiles. Predictably, this decision has been greeted by a chorus of protest, but nonetheless the fact remains: Every U.S. ship that sails into harm’s way must represent a relevant threat and be fit to fight.

Among the contested ships proposed for decommissioning are five Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The Navy, in its annual shipbuilding report to Congress , cited several serious concerns with the Ticonderoga-class cruiser, including “poor material condition of these ships due to their age” and “ongoing concerns with overall legacy sensor and [hull, mechanical and electrical] system reliability.” The chief of naval operations, Adm. Mike Gilday, said that the cruiser’s “SPY-1A, SP-1B [radars are] just not sufficient given the threat we’re facing.” By comparison, the oldest Ticonderoga-class cruiser proposed for decommissioning was commissioned in 1986, only four years after the Russian Slava-class cruiser Moskva.

While it is unclear whether the combat system aboard the Moskva failed her crew, it is without doubt its age and seaworthiness played a role in its demise as the crew was overcome by fire, smoke and seawater.

One lesson that the courageous nation of Ukraine has demonstrated to the world is one that Congress should heed: We not only need to invest in a strong Navy, but also in a survivable one. As Congress begins to shape the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, we must take an honest look at whether the platforms we are fielding to engage our adversaries are both relevant and survivable in modern naval warfare.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., serves on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs its Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. He founded and co-chairs the Friends of Australia Caucus as well as the AUKUS Working Group (otherwise known as the AUKUS Caucus).

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What is the Maritime Strike Tomahawk cruise missile?

The Tomahawk cruise missile has been in service since the 1980s but continuously upgraded to the new Block V variants, which includes an anti-ship missile capability.

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Reports that the US Navy will begin operating an anti-surface variant of the Tomahawk cruise missile from its submarines in 2024, known as the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST), have highlighted the development of a lesser-known variant of the long-serving munition, which entered service in the 1980s.

According to office of the US Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) in 2017 the US Navy issued an acquisition strategy for a series of incremental upgrades to the Tactical Land Attack Missile (TLAM) Block IV to develop an anti-ship capability. The upgrades would develop the Block IV TLAM into the MST variant, to aspirational reach initial operational capability (IOC) in FY2022.

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Manufacturer RTX states that beginning in 2020, the US Navy would recertify and modernise the missile, extending its service life by 15 years, and resulting in the new Tomahawk Block V series; the Block V, a modernised version with upgraded navigation and communication; the Block Va which has the ability to strike moving targets at sea, the MST variant; and the Block Vb, which features a joint multi-effects warhead that can hit a more diverse land targets than the standard Block V.

US military services have been keen to introduce the new Block V into their inventories, with a series of contracts providing industrial impetus for RTX and its supplier base.

In August it was reported that RTX , formerly Raytheon, secured a $124.2m contract worth to enhance the capabilities of Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) missiles for the US Navy. The developmental MST seeker suites are a component of the weapon’s recertification process, currently underway with the Low-Rate Production Three initiative.

In 2022, RTX, then Raytheon Technologies, was awarded a $217.1m fixed-price-incentive, firm-fixed-price contract for the full-rate production of Block V Tactical Tomahawk missiles, to be delivered to the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Army.

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Further back, in August 2019 Raytheon received a $349m contract for phase two of the MST Rapid Deployment Capability to improve the Tomahawk cruise missile system.

The Tomahawk is a key weapons system manufactured by RTX, which has sought to maintain its relevance in the evolving battlespace through spiral development and upgrades. As a result, RTX garners a considerable share of the global missile market, partly as a result of the famed TLAM.

According to GlobalData’s “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2023-2033” report, 22.0% of the North American missiles and missile defence systems market is owned by RTX, which is projected to be the second largest shareholder in the region.

International appeal of the Block V

Asia-Pacific countries such as Japan and Australia have procured Tomahawk Block IV missiles, while in Europe the UK will likely operate them from the Type 26 City-class frigates, currently in build. The UK Royal Navy has operated the TLAM from its Astute -class nuclear-powered attack submarines for a number of years.

However, legacy operators in recent years have moved to upgrade existing Block IV stock to Block V, either through recertification or acquisition of new missiles.

Japan planned to upgrade all eight of its Aegis destroyers to install Tomahawk cruise missiles, and Australia requested a sale of $895m for Tomahawk missiles from the US to boost their maritime capabilities and improve interoperability earlier this year.

Indeed, in November this year the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Japan of Tomahawk Weapon System and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.35bn. The request was for up to 200 Tomahawk Block IV All Up Rounds and 200 Tomahawk Block V AURs, along with weapon control systems.

Earlier, in March this year the US approved the possible FMS of 200 Block V and 20 Block IV Tomahawk missiles to Australia, with a deal valued at $895m . 

In May 2022, the UK announced that its stock of Block IV TLAM munitions were to be upgraded to the Block V variant for specific use in the Astute-class submarines. The Block V, according to UK Defence Equipment and Support, an arm of the Ministry of Defence, would have a longer range than the Block IV at up to 1,000 miles, and also has updated in-flight communications and target selection.

The Netherlands has also confirmed that it would acquire the Block V Tomahawk for use in its De Zeven Provinciën -class frigates.

Any acquisition of the MST for countries such as the UK would add a useful anti-surface warfare system to the inventory, particularly as the development of next generation anti-ship missiles, such as the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC-ASW), with the UK and France, are someway off being fielded.

With the Block V, and through it the Va and Vb variants, likely to remain in service for more than a decade and even up to the 2040s, this would provide vital development time for countries seeking next-generation ASW systems.

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