Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Weapon Development

The Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Weapon Development (PE 0604786N) program is a key element of the Navy's strategy to enhance its long-range strike capabilities against surface threats in contested maritime environments. This program supports the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of advanced anti-ship weapon systems, with a focus on integrating new technologies to address evolving threats from near-peer competitors. The overarching goal is to provide the Joint Force with robust offensive options that extend engagement ranges, improve survivability, and enable operations in Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments.

Project 3337: Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) Weapon Increment 1 centers on the accelerated development and fielding of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). This project was initiated in response to an Urgent Operational Needs Statement (UONS) identifying a gap in long-range anti-ship capabilities. Leveraging DARPA and Office of Naval Research efforts, the Navy transitioned LRASM to an Early Operational Capability (EOC) for air-launched platforms. Funding supports continued development, integration, and testing of navigation software improvements and mission validation tools, which are essential for network-enabled weapon employment and enhanced operational effectiveness. The project also includes ongoing radio frequency sensor improvements and software upgrades to maintain technological overmatch.

Project 3343: Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) Weapon Increment II focuses on developing the next-generation, carrier-suitable, higher-speed, longer-range air-launched weapon system. This increment is designed to address advanced threat capabilities by maturing hypersonic technologies and integrating them into Navy platforms. Objectives include propulsion technology maturation, requirements refinement, and leveraging foundational achievements in joint science and technology. The acquisition strategy emphasizes competitive, phased development with initial activities in system concepts, model-based systems engineering, and preliminary design. Funding is directed toward propulsion and technology maturation efforts, with user priorities and evolving maritime threats guiding the system requirements and development schedule.

Project 3466: LRASM C-3 aims to further enhance the Navy's OASuW capability by integrating an AGM-158 derived weapon onto F/A-18 E/F aircraft, building on the existing LRASM and JASSM-ER platforms. The LRASM C-3 program focuses on extending range, improving survivability, and incorporating advanced communications for beyond line-of-sight operations. Activities include completing system-level qualification, production readiness review, delivering flight test missiles, and conducting integrated flight tests. The acquisition strategy leverages joint USAF and USN investments in the AGM-158 family to optimize cost, schedule, and performance, enabling rapid fielding and growth in strike and OASuW capabilities.

Each project within the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Weapon Development program is structured to maximize efficiency and innovation. The acquisition approaches utilize streamlined governance, knowledge point reviews, and rolling-wave engineering progression to accelerate development and mitigate technical risks. Government and contractor support is provided for integration, testing, and management services, ensuring that technical milestones are met and operational requirements are addressed in a timely manner.

Test and evaluation activities are integral to all three projects, supporting developmental and operational testing, flight trials, and system qualification. These efforts are conducted at Navy test centers such as NAWCAD Patuxent River, MD and NAWCWD China Lake, CA, with funding allocated for test planning, range time, and target costs. Management services funding supports program office activities, government labor, and contractor support necessary for effective program oversight and execution.