The US Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has announced its intent to negotiate a sole-source contract with Lockheed Martin for the integration of the LRASM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile) onto the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II aircraft.
The LRASM is a precision-guided, stealth missile, designed for long-range engagements against maritime targets. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the LRASM is based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), but it has been specifically adapted for naval warfare.
The anticipated contract will involve both integration and test support for the LRASM and the installation of the missile’s Universal Armament Interface (UAI) on the aircraft. NAVAIR cited Lockheed Martin’s unique role as the designer, developer and sole integrator of the LRASM as the basis for the sole-source award. However, NAVAIR has noted that all responsible sources may still submit capability statements, proposals or quotations for consideration.
By integrating the missile onto the F-15E and F-15EX platforms, the US Navy and Air Force aim to extend the operational range and maritime strike capabilities of their tactical aircraft fleet.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a proven multirole fighter, while the F-15EX Eagle II is the latest iteration featuring advanced avionics and increased payload capacity. Equipping these aircraft with the LRASM will enhance their ability to conduct long-range strikes against maritime targets, complementing the capabilities of other aircraft, such as the US Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Air Force’s B-1B Lancer.
The US Navy is also working on integrating the LRASM with the F-35 Lightning II. A test pilot at Naval Air Station Patuxent River conducted a flight test of the F-35C, the carrier-borne variant, on September 10, 2024.
According to the US Navy, “LRASM is a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets.”
In April 2023, NAVAIR awarded Lockheed Martin and Raytheon a $116 million contract to develop a successor to the LRASM under the Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) program.