LRASM and JASSM-ER achieve initial operational capability

Royal Australian Air Force has achieved initial operational capability for the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). 

CAPTION: An AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) loaded to an RAAF P-8A Poseidon during Exercise Medusa Fury, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

LRASM is an air-launched, precision-guided, semi-autonomous missile, designed to destroy high-value, well-defended maritime targets at ranges in excess of 370 kilometres. 

JASSM-ER is an air-launched, precision-guided, long-range land-strike cruise missile, designed to locate, identify and defeat targets at ranges up to 900 kilometres. 

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said the Royal Australian Air Force had demonstrated it was ready to conduct long-range, survivable and lethal maritime and land strike, from F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, against highly defended targets. 

“By acquiring a suite of long-range maritime- and land-strike missiles the Royal Australian Air Force will increase the lethality of our air-combat aircraft and avoid increasingly sophisticated air defences.”

“We are continuing to develop and grow The RAAF’s ability to precisely strike targets at long-range.

“This will allow the Royal Australian Air Force, as part of the integrated, focused force, to further enhance deterrence by holding potential adversary forces and infrastructure at risk from a greater distance.”

Operational testing included validation of weapons preparation and loading, as well as targeting and successful weapon engagement by F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft.

In February 2025, two LRASM were successfully test fired at the Point Mugu Sea Range in the United States, followed by two JASSM-ER successfully test fired at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, in November.

More recently, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 26 (RIMPAC), operational testing further expanded the capabilities, when a P-8A Poseidon successfully fired an LRASM, hitting its target.

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