Breaking news
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 |
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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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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. |
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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) |
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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. |
Close
up view of the LRASM model (black) fitted on the Super Hornet |
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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 |
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