US Navy Tested New Cruise Missiles
The US Navy has completed testing the latest LRASM cruise missiles. Today, according to the portal navaltoday.com, the US command conducted a double test of new ammunition, dropping them from the strategic bomber B-1 Lancer.
During tests off the coast of California, the B-1 Lancer simultaneously launched two LRASM cruise missiles that hit two surface moving targets. The company Lockheed Martin, which developed the new missiles, indicate that the tests were considered successful, and ammunition confirmed all the declared characteristics.
The AGM-158C LRASM missile (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile - a long-range anti-ship missile) was developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin by order of the US Department of Defense. Work on the creation of LRASM cruise missiles began in 2009, in 2013 these missiles passed the first tests, and a year later they armed some ships of the US Navy. Although new ammunition is already in use fleet, officially they will go into service with the US Navy and Air Force only after 2018.
The AGM-158C are designed to replace Harpoon missiles that have been in service with the US Army since 1977. New missiles have a special shape and coating, reducing radar visibility, and are equipped with sensors that allow them to independently detect and identify targets in a given square, as well as “communicate” with other missiles, distributing targets among themselves.
According to the technical description, the LRASM rocket carries a battle charge with a mass of 450 kg and can cover the distance to 930 km. The AGM-158C is equipped with a Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan engine, which provides it with a maneuverable flight at subsonic speed.
It is planned that in the coming years LRASM missiles will become the standard armament of US Air Force aircraft and US Navy ships. New ammunition has already been tested for compatibility with the Mk.41 ship launcher, can be dropped from the B-1B Lancer bombers, and also launched from the F / A-18 and F-35 Lightning II fighters, reports "Warspot"
During tests off the coast of California, the B-1 Lancer simultaneously launched two LRASM cruise missiles that hit two surface moving targets. The company Lockheed Martin, which developed the new missiles, indicate that the tests were considered successful, and ammunition confirmed all the declared characteristics.
The AGM-158C LRASM missile (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile - a long-range anti-ship missile) was developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin by order of the US Department of Defense. Work on the creation of LRASM cruise missiles began in 2009, in 2013 these missiles passed the first tests, and a year later they armed some ships of the US Navy. Although new ammunition is already in use fleet, officially they will go into service with the US Navy and Air Force only after 2018.
The AGM-158C are designed to replace Harpoon missiles that have been in service with the US Army since 1977. New missiles have a special shape and coating, reducing radar visibility, and are equipped with sensors that allow them to independently detect and identify targets in a given square, as well as “communicate” with other missiles, distributing targets among themselves.
According to the technical description, the LRASM rocket carries a battle charge with a mass of 450 kg and can cover the distance to 930 km. The AGM-158C is equipped with a Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan engine, which provides it with a maneuverable flight at subsonic speed.
It is planned that in the coming years LRASM missiles will become the standard armament of US Air Force aircraft and US Navy ships. New ammunition has already been tested for compatibility with the Mk.41 ship launcher, can be dropped from the B-1B Lancer bombers, and also launched from the F / A-18 and F-35 Lightning II fighters, reports "Warspot"
- navaltoday.com
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