“The US is currently working on integrating the AGM-158C LRASM long-range anti-ship missile into the F-35.”, — write: www.unian.ua
The US is currently working on integrating the AGM-158C LRASM long-range anti-ship missile into the F-35 aircraft.
The Pentagon showed pictures from the test flight of the F-35 Lightning II / photo US Navy/Dane WiedmannThe Pentagon has for the first time released photos showing an F-35 fighter jet carrying the new AGM-158C LRASM long-range anti-ship missile. This is reported by The War Zone.The photo shows a test flight of the F-35 Lightning II from Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Maryland) in September of this year.
Two AGM-158C missiles were hung on the outer underwing pylons of the deck version of the F-35C aircraft. The missile is also planned to be integrated into the F-35B version with a short takeoff and vertical landing.
Note that the LRASM cannot fit any variant of the F-35 inside. With the external suspension, inconspicuousness is lost, which is the main trump card of fifth-generation fighters.
However, the Americans consider this a reasonable price for the F-35’s ability to hit sea targets at long range. Currently, the US plans to get several versions of this missile. In the basic version, the range is approximately 370 km (in the future, it can be significantly increased).
LRASM missile – help Conceptually, LRASM is a development of the stealthy JASSM cruise missile. Its fuselage is made based on the requirements of minimum visibility, with the active use of composite materials.
The missile received a warhead weighing more than 450 kg: this is enough to disable any ship. Among the carriers of the missile (except the F-35) are such combat aircraft as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the B-1 Lancer.
LRASM is of particular importance to the US in view of the US-China rivalry in the Pacific Ocean. We will remind you that the PRC is now actively expanding the capabilities of its surface fleet. This applies, in particular, to aircraft carriers.
Earlier it became known that the USA will increase the production of long-range LRASM and JASSM missiles.
According to some data, Ukraine may receive the latter in the near future. It should be noted that this missile is a standard weapon for the F-16 aircraft, which was previously handed over to Kyiv.
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