The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)’s maritime strike capability has been enhanced following the achievement of a key development milestone for the integration of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 21 March.
According to the DoD, two RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets – supported by an E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, as well as a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft – conducted the successful firings off the coast of California in February.
The DoD added that a total of A$895.5 million has been allocated for the acquisition of the LRASM, which is manufactured by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control and will enable the RAAF to engage maritime threats at distances of over 370 kilometres.
“The acquisition of LRASM is a significant step up in long-range strike for our Air Force and underscores the [government’s] commitment to equipping the ADF with the capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe,” said Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy.
In February 2020, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that it had approved a possible sale of 200 LRASMs to Australia for a total cost of up to US$900 million. Lockheed Martin was subsequently awarded a US$49 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract by the US Navy in February 2022 to integrate and test LRASM on RAAF F/A-18Fs.
The LRASM will also be integrated to the RAAF’s F-35A and P-8A aircraft in the near future.
by Jr Ng
