U.S. plans contract to integrate LRASM anti‑ship missiles onto B‑52 bombers
The U.S. Air Force is moving to equip its B‑52 Stratofortress fleet with Lockheed Martin’s AGM‑158C Long Range Anti‑Ship Missile (LRASM). An October 7 notice from NAVAIR outlines a forthcoming contract that will cover software updates, testing, equipment repairs and failure‑review boards. The bomber could carry up to 20 LRASMs, matching its current JASSM load, and analysts say the change would give the bomber force a far larger daily maritime‑strike capacity than carrier‑based aircraft.
Why it matters
The integration would expand the United States’ long‑range maritime strike options and could shift some anti‑ship missions from carriers to land‑based bombers, affecting future force‑structure planning ().
Key facts
- 1NAVAIR outlined plans on October 7 to award Lockheed Martin a contract for LRASM integration work on B‑52 bombers. zona-militar.com
- 2The contract will include missile software modifications, testing, repairs to test equipment and failure assessments. zona-militar.com
- 3A B‑52 can potentially carry up to 20 LRASMs, the same number as its current JASSM capacity. zona-militar.com
- 4Retired Air Force Colonel Mark Gunzinger said a handful of B‑52s could launch more weapons against maritime targets than carrier‑based aircraft per day. defence-industry.eu
- 5Lockheed Martin spokesperson Scott Swofford described LRASM as a precise, stealthy and survivable cruise missile that provides multi‑service, multi‑platform anti‑surface warfare capabilities. defence-industry.eu
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 2 of 2 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.