A US Marine Corps AH-1Z with a Long Range Precision Fires munition mounted to the outer weapons station of both stub wings. Little is publicly known about the munition, which is likely capable of performing both kinetic and non-kinetic roles. (NAVAIR)
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) published a photograph of a previously unseen munition mounted to a US Marine Corps (USMC) Bell AH-1Z, the L3Harris Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF), on 13 February. Although the existence of the missile, also referred to as the Long Range Attack Missile or Precision Attack Strike Missile, has been publicly acknowledged, the photograph marks the first time it has been seen in public.
The NAVAIR release described test launches performed in November 2024 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, which “exceeded the threshold requirements with regard to position, navigation, and timing”.
The launch was additionally described as conducted via the Marine Air-Ground Tablet, which effectively allows front-line marines to order airstrikes digitally.
A 19 February release from L3Harris described the tests as marking “the first successful engagement of a target from a [vertical take-off and landing] platform at previously untouchable ranges”.
LRPF was developed under a programme led by the US Department of Defense's (DoD's) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's (OUSD – R&E's) Expeditionary Maritime Aviation – Advanced Development Team, intended to “evaluate cost-effective, long-range disparate effects in expeditionary and maritime environments”, NAVAIR told Janes on 20 February.
“The … project is planned to complete in 2025 with future requirements and plans under development,” NAVAIR added.
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