U.S. Navy intends to equip F-15 Fighters with LRASM long-range anti-ship missiles

By Defence Industry Europe

The United States Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has announced plans to integrate the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II aircraft. This effort will be conducted through a sole-source contract with Lockheed Martin, the missile’s developer and integrator.

 

The LRASM is a precision-guided, stealth weapon designed for long-range engagements against maritime targets. Based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), it has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of naval warfare, offering advanced capabilities against high-threat environments.

Under the planned contract, Lockheed Martin will handle the integration of the LRASM, including testing and installing the missile’s Universal Armament Interface (UAI) on the F-15E and F-15EX platforms. NAVAIR justified the sole-source approach by citing Lockheed Martin’s unique expertise as the missile’s designer and sole integrator. However, other potential providers have been invited to submit proposals or capability statements for review.

 

 

The integration is expected to significantly enhance the F-15E and F-15EX’s ability to perform long-range maritime strike missions. The F-15E is a well-established multirole fighter known for its versatility, while the F-15EX represents the latest iteration, featuring advanced avionics and an increased payload capacity. These upgrades will complement the LRASM’s precision and range, further strengthening the tactical reach of the US Navy and Air Force.

Beyond the F-15, the US Navy is advancing efforts to deploy the LRASM across multiple platforms. This includes its ongoing integration with the F-35 Lightning II, with a recent test flight of the F-35C carrier variant conducted on 10 September 2024. The missile also complements the capabilities of other aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Air Force’s B-1B Lancer.

 

 

The LRASM is described by the Navy as a near-term solution for addressing the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap. It provides flexible, long-range, advanced anti-surface options, making it a critical asset for countering high-threat maritime targets.

In parallel with these efforts, NAVAIR is supporting the development of the next generation of anti-ship missiles. In April 2023, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were awarded a $116 million contract to develop the Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) system, which is expected to succeed the LRASM.

 

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