US airmen load a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) aboard an F-16 in 2024. Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) shares the same mould line as JASSM. (31st Fighter Wing)
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to award Lockheed Martin a contract to integrate its AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto F-16s, according to a 17 March notification.
Testing is set to begin later in 2025, NAVAIR told Janes on 20 March, focusing on integrating the AGM-158C-1. The C-1 version entered service in 2018, and subsequent versions β AGM-158C-3 and LRASM-XR β have added range and seeker capabilities.
Lockheed Martin manufactures both the aircraft and the missile; although the US Navy does not operate F-16s, NAVAIR manages the LRASM programme on behalf of all US Department of Defense branches.
US Air Force (USAF) F-16s can already employ the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), which preceded LRASM into service and incorporates the same 4.26 m-long low-observable missile body, Williams International F107 turbofan engine, and 453.6 kg penetration warhead, with the addition of a datalink and specialised maritime seeker.
The F-16 is the latest in a series of aircraft to be integrated with LRASM. The missile is operationally employed by the navy's F/A-18E/F and USAF's B-1B. Integration testing is ongoing aboard the P-8A, F-35B, and F-35C (integration with the F-35A is planned); a similar notice of NAVAIR's intent to integrate LRASM onto the F-15E and F-15EX was released in January.
The USAF flies 820 F-16s, making it one of the most numerous aircraft types the service operates.
Neither Lockheed Martin nor the USAF had responded to Janes questions at the time of publication.
For more information, please see F-35B conducts captive-carry test with Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM .
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