유도탄 P-8의 파일런에 장착된 LRASM 사진 공개

[위종민]

P-8A와 LRASM 시스템 통합은 2022년 1분기에 시작됐으며 2024년, 혹은 2025년 완료될 예정이네요. 날개 파일런에 4발이 장착될 예정이라고 합니다.

현재는 F/A-18과 B-1에 통합돼 있습니다. P-8 외에 F-35에도 통합이 진행중입니다. 

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2023/2023/04/first-view-of-lrasm-missile-aboard-a-us-navy-p-8a-poseidon/

 Home»Event News»Sea Air Space 2023»First View of LRASM Missile Aboard a US Navy P-8A Poseidon

LRASM "fit checks" aboard a P-8A Poseidon of Air Test and Eval‎uation Squadron TWO ZERO (VX 20). US Navy picture.

First View Of LRASM Missile Aboard A US Navy P-8A Poseidon

Naval News obtained from the US Navy the first images showing the LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) fitted on a P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

Xavier Vavasseur  04 Apr 2023

The two pictures show “fit checks” of the next generation missile with the Poseidon MPA. More specifically, a single LRASM was fitted to an underwing pylon of P-8A aircraft #951, belonging to naval force aircraft test squadron VX-20. These fit checks were performed in July 2020 at NAS Patuxent River.

“Fit checks” refer to a process of verifying that equipment, weapons or ordnance can be safely and effectively installed or attached to an aircraft in accordance with its technical specifications and operational requirements. This is done to ensure the aircraft is ready for a mission and its crew and equipment are safe.

In Q1 2022, a NAVAIR PAO confirmed to Naval News that flight testing and platform integration of LRASM aboard P-8A had started, adding that “set timelines are not available at this time. Integration is on track with scheduled completion in fiscal year 2024”. Lockheed Martin told us last week that P-8 integration efforts will continue through 2025. The P-8A will be able to carry 4 missile under its wings. We understand that LRASM is too large to fit in the aircraft’s weapons bay.

Picture showing a LRASM fitted on the P-8A’s underwing hardpoint pylon. US Navy picture.

Asked about the new capabilities that LRASM will bring to the P-8A Poseidon, the PAO explained:

“The integration of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile on to the P-8A Poseidon adds to the aircraft’s anti-ship warfare capabilities and brings added flexibility to the warfighter.”

Contacted by Naval News last week, Capt Richard Gensley, Precision Strike Weapons program manager said:

“LRASM is continuing with both development and fielding.  LRASM (AGM-158 C-1) has been fielded in the baseline configuration, while LRASM’s next modification is completing operational testing and preparing for an initial production buy.  LRASM (AGM-158 C-3) is under development for fielding in FY26. The Navy has leveraged contracting efforts with USAF JASSM/LRASM program office in Eglin AFB with orders to meet operational needs of both the Navy and USAF.”

Capt. Richard Gensley, Precision Strike Weapons program manager

We previously reported that Lockheed Martin, NAVAIR and the U.S. Air Force would start working on the integration of LRASM on the B-52 following a budget allocation in FY 2019. Asked whether work to integrate LRASM aboard B-52 is ongoing, Capt. Gensley replied that there are no current efforts for LRASM integration on the B-52 being coordinated with PMA-201. “Any future efforts would be best suited for the USAF response. LRASM is currently fielded on the USN F-18 and USAF B-1. Integration of existing weapons on new aircraft provides flexibility to our warfighter as they continue to pace the threat. Future integration on additional DoD platforms is possible as operational requirements dictate” the Precision Strike Weapons program manager added.

A NAVAIR PAO told us last week as well that “the U.S. Navy regularly eval‎uates platforms and the potential for capability expansion. LRASM brings a critical air-to-surface capability to the fleet and is currently being eval‎uated for the P-8 platform. The U.S. Navy intends to conduct P-8 LRASM testing in the near future”.

On the industry side, Lockheed Martin is currently executing on the Lot 3 and 4 production contracts for the U.S. Navy and is under contract through Lot 6. Contacted by Naval News, Dominic DeScisciolo, LRASM Business Development Lead at Lockheed Martin said that “LRASM was declared operational on the B1-B in 2018 and the F/A-18E/F in 2019, with integration efforts underway for F-35 and P-8”.

“Lockheed Martin is focused on increasing LRASM manufacturing output in 2023, and will continue to increase production volume as part of a broader facilitization plan for the AGM-158 family of cruise missiles. Lockheed Martin is committed to supporting the government’s multiyear procurement strategy that was recently shared in the FY 2024 Department of Defense budget request”.

Dominic DeScisciolo, LRASM Business Development Lead at Lockheed Martin

Asked if Lockheed Martin is working on future evolution of the missile, DeScisciolo said “at Lockheed Martin we consistently look for ways to improve our systems to meet the warfighter’s evolving needs. Lockheed Martin is currently coordinating to move development forward of LRASM C-3 that will continue to evolve capabilities with updated sensor packages and additional technology enhancements”.

Regarding Australia (which has a potential requirement in excess of 200 LRASM) the Business Development Lead explained “We continue to support our Australian partners through integration efforts that expand the Royal Australian Air Force and Navy’s operational capabilities, as well as the Australian Army for a potential ground launched version of LRASM in support of Land Based Maritime Strike“.

About AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missile

2019 LRASM test from a Super Hornet. NAVAIR picture.

LRASM is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships by employing advanced technologies that reduce dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, network links and GPS navigation in electronic warfare environments. LRASM will play a significant role in ensuring military access to operate in open ocean/blue waters, owing to its enhanced ability to discriminate and conduct tactical engagements from extended ranges.

The AGM-158C is derived from the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM ER). An anti-jam GPS guidance system, radio frequency sensor (RFS), and an infrared sensor support guidance and targeting. Once launched, LRASM guides to an initial point and employs onboard sensors to locate, identify, and provide terminal guidance to the target.

BAE Systems’ long-range sensor and targeting technology enables LRASM to detect and engage protected ships in all weather conditions, day or night, without relying on external intelligence and navigation data.

Armed with a 1,000 Lbs (454 kg) penetrating blast fragmentation warhead, LRASM is low observable and likely has a range comparable with JASSM ER (around 500 nautical miles).

LRASM is designed to meet the needs of U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Warfighters in contested environments. The air-launched variant provides an early operational capability for the U.S. Navy’s offensive anti-surface warfare Increment I requirement.

LRASM Achieved EOC with the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in December 2019. The U.S. Navy conducted a live firing of a LRASM during Valiant Shield in September 2020.

[Minowski(김유철)]

지금 전쟁이 나면 믿을만한 투사플랫폼은 B1이겠고.... F35 통합도 25년까지는 완료될런지...... 그나저나 지난번 워게임 시나리오의 핵심결론이 이 물건 많이 확보해야한다인데 아직까지 생산피치는 올라가지 않는것 같습니다.

[위종민]

중국의 수상함 등 숫자가 늘어나면 필요한 미사일의 숫자도 그만큼 늘어날 텐데.. 2020년대 중후반에 그 갭이 벌어질 것 같단 말이죠..

[백선호]

20년 전 Nimrod MRA4 생각이 나네요.

http://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/515G/3410

[위종민]

공대지는 아니지만 공대함 임무는 초계기 고유임무에 들어갈 테니 합리적인가 싶다가, 어차피 자체 표적획득은 못하고 외부에서 표적정보 받아야 될 텐데 굳이 초계기에 LRASM을 달아야 될 이유가 있나 싶은 생각이.. 콘솔은 여유있으니 발사 작업할 때 편하긴 하겠네요. 기왕 달 거면 B-1처럼 24발은 아니라도 좀 더 많이 달면 좋을 것 같긴 합니다만.

[백선호]

공대함 임무에서 초계기는 스스로 표적을 찾을 수도 있지요.

https://cafe.daum.net/NTDS/5q1/726

[위종민]

https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-studying-arming-p-8a-aircraft-with-the-aargm-er-missile/

P-8A에 AGM-88G AARGM-ER도 통합 연구중이라고 합니다.