US Navy moves to add LRASM anti-ship missile to B-52 bomber fleet
A US Navy contracting notice sets out plans for a sole-source deal with Lockheed Martin to fit the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile on the B-52 Stratofortress, which would give all three US Air Force strategic bombers the weapon.
The US Navy intends to award Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control a sole-source contract for work to integrate the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile onto the B-52 Stratofortress, according to a contracting notice dated 7 October 2026.
Naval Air Systems Command issued the notice, which describes a cost-plus-fixed-fee negotiation. The scope covers missile software updates, related testing, repair of test assets and failure review boards. The notice gives no schedule for fielding the capability.
Fitting the weapon to the B-52 would add a long-range maritime strike option to the US Air Force's bomber fleet. The B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit already fire the LRASM, so the B-52 would leave all three of the service's strategic bombers able to carry it.
The LRASM belongs to the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile family. It keeps that missile's general airframe design and form factor, with components tailored for hitting ships in contested maritime environments.
A B-52 can carry as many as 20 JASSMs: twelve on external stations and eight in internal conventional rotary launchers. Besides the B-1B and B-2, other Air Force platforms slated to receive the LRASM include the F-15E.
Sources
- theaviationist.comB-52 Stratofortress Set to Integrate the AGM-158C LRASM