LRASM

The Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) program, detailed under the Navy's Weapons Procurement account, is a key part of the Department of Defense's strategy to enhance offensive anti-surface warfare capabilities. The LRASM (AGM-158C) is designed to provide the U.S. Navy and Air Force with a survivable, precision-guided standoff weapon capable of engaging high-value surface targets in contested environments. The program aims to maintain U.S. maritime superiority by fielding advanced munitions that can deter and, if necessary, defeat near-peer adversaries in complex operational theaters.

The LRASM program is structured around two major subprograms: LRASM C-1 and LRASM C-3. The LRASM C-1 subprogram represents the baseline, legacy variant of the missile, which has achieved Early Operational Capability on the U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber and the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F aircraft. The primary objective for LRASM C-1 is to sustain and replenish the Navy's stockpile, ensuring readiness and availability for operational requirements. Fiscal Year 2026 marks the final procurement year for the C-1 variant, with planned acquisition, operational testing support, and obsolescence management due to the extended production timeline.

The LRASM C-3 subprogram is a forward-fit Engineering Change Proposal to the baseline LRASM, intended to address emerging threats and extend the missile's operational relevance. The C-3 variant incorporates enhancements such as extended range, advanced survivability features, a Beyond Line of Sight weapons data link, and upgraded mission planning software. The budget supports procurement of C-3 All-Up-Rounds, as well as radios and production support. The C-3 program is designed to ensure the Navy's ability to compete with near-peer adversaries by integrating the latest technological advancements and maintaining production line flexibility.

Procurement for both LRASM C-1 and C-3 is executed through a joint Navy-Air Force contract with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, leveraging shared production infrastructure with the Air Force's Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile program. This joint approach enables cost savings through economies of scale, particularly under the Department's Multiyear Procurement and Large Lot Procurement strategies. These strategies utilize Economic Order Quantities to maximize production efficiency, accelerate delivery schedules, and reduce unit costs across related missile programs.

In addition to hardware procurement, the request includes funding for non-recurring engineering, obsolescence management, tooling, and production facilitization. These efforts support the transition from C-1 to C-3 production, address diminishing manufacturing sources, and ensure the industrial base can meet future demand. The budget also provides for the integration of telemetry kits and support for operational testing, which are necessary to validate system performance and readiness.

The LRASM program aligns with the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, which calls for combat-credible forces capable of deterring aggression and ensuring freedom of maneuver in contested domains. LRASM's advanced capabilities contribute to building a more lethal force, enhancing joint lethality, and maintaining favorable regional balances of power. The program's structure and funding profile are designed to ensure timely fielding of critical capabilities, mitigate warfighting risks, and position the Department to address evolving surface warfare threats.

Failure to fully fund LRASM procurement objectives in Fiscal Year 2026 would result in the inability to meet contracted quantities, potentially incurring cancellation fees and jeopardizing the Navy's ability to maintain required inventory levels. The program's execution is closely tied to broader Department of Defense munitions and supply chain initiatives, and its success is considered essential for sustaining U.S. maritime deterrence and operational effectiveness in the face of strategic competition.