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Integrating the AGM-158C LRASM onto the B-52 means all three of the USAF’s bombers now have this capability and the B-21 will surely follow. The post B-52 To Get Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles appeared first on TWZ.
Analysis Summary
# Morning News Roll-up October 24, 2024
## Overview
Recent military developments highlight the rapid expansion of long-range maritime strike capabilities across the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber fleet. The primary focus is the integration of stealthy precision-guided anti-ship munitions to counter sophisticated naval adversaries in contested environments like the Indo-Pacific.
## Top Stories
### B-52 To Get Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles
- Summary: The U.S. Navy and Air Force are initiating a contract with Lockheed Martin to integrate the AGM-158C LRASM onto the B-52 Stratofortress. This move completes the integration of this stealthy anti-ship capability across all three current U.S. strategic bombers (B-1B, B-2, and B-52), significantly enhancing the military's ability to engage high-value naval targets from standoff ranges.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/b-52-to-get-stealthy-agm-158c-long-range-anti-ship-missiles
### Air Force Discloses B-2 Can Launch Stealth Anti-Ship Missiles
- Summary: In a surprise announcement, the U.S. Air Force revealed that the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has already achieved the capability to launch the LRASM. This development ensures the B-2 remains a viable maritime strike platform against advanced integrated air defense systems (IADS) until the B-21 Raider enters service.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/air-force-discloses-b-2-can-launch-stealth-anti-ship-missiles-in-surprise-announcement
### F-35 Shown Carrying Stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles
- Summary: Recent photographic evidence confirms the integration of AGM-158 series missiles onto the F-35 Lightning II. This provides tactical aircraft with the same long-range, stealthy maritime strike capabilities previously reserved for heavy bomber platforms.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/f-35-shown-carrying-stealthy-long-range-anti-ship-missiles-for-first-time
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# Main Topic
Integration of the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto the B-52 Stratofortress bomber to bolster U.S. maritime strike capabilities in contested theaters.
## Key Points
- **Fleet-Wide Capability:** The B-52 integration ensures that all current USAF bombers (B-1B, B-2, and B-52) can deploy the LRASM.
- **Sole-Source Contract:** Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to award Lockheed Martin the contract for software updates, testing, and flight program integration.
- **Stealth Standoff:** The LRASM is a derivative of the JASSM-ER, designed to penetrate advanced Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) and hit high-value ships.
- **High Volume Carriage:** While specific numbers for LRASM are not finalized, the B-52 can carry up to 20 missiles of the similar JASSM family using wing pylons and internal rotary launchers.
- **Strategic Focus:** The move is explicitly tied to countering adversary naval forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
## Threat Actors
- **State Actors:** While not named as direct "attackers" in this procurement context, the capability is designed to counter **adversary naval forces** and nations employing sophisticated **Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS)**.
- **Regional Context:** Specifically focused on threats within the **Indo-Pacific theater**.
## TTPs
- **Stealth Infiltration:** Use of low-observable (stealth) airframes and munitions to bypass radar detection.
- **Autonomous Targeting:** The LRASM utilizes an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker and autonomous target-recognition capabilities to identify specific vessels in a fleet without relying on external data links.
- **Standoff Strike:** Launching munitions from outside the range of enemy surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and naval point defenses.
- **GPS-Independent Navigation:** Combines GPS-assisted inertial navigation with onboard sensors to operate in GPS-denied environments.
## Affected Systems
- **Primary Platform:** B-52 Stratofortress (Software baseline and armament interfaces).
- **Secondary Platforms:** B-2 Spirit, B-1B Lancer, and F-35 (variant-dependent).
- **Target Systems:** High-value adversary surface vessels and maritime defense networks.
## Mitigations
- **Software Integration:** Updates to the B-52's operational flight programs to support the AGM-158C.
- **System-Safety Testing:** Validating safe weapon separation from wing-mounted stations and internal carriage launchers.
- **Redundancy:** Utilizing imaging infrared seekers to mitigate the effects of GPS jamming or electronic warfare (EW).
## Conclusion
The integration of the AGM-158C LRASM onto the B-52 marks a significant evolution in U.S. maritime power projection. By equipping a long-endurance, high-capacity platform like the B-52 with stealthy, autonomous anti-ship missiles, the U.S. Air Force significantly increases the complexity and risk for adversary naval operations in contested waters. This development suggests a shift toward high-volume, standoff maritime strikes as a primary deterrent in the Indo-Pacific.