More than five years after receiving approval to procure AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has successfully test-fired the weapon from its F/A-18F Super Hornets for the first time. The test took place off the coast of California, marking a significant milestone in Australia’s long-range strike capability.
“These advanced weapon systems enhance our ability to safeguard Australia’s maritime approaches and, when required, conduct operations in the region. They will be integrated across the Super Hornet, Poseidon, and F-35 fleets,” said Defence Minister Richard Marles.
The live-fire test involved two RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets, supported by an E/A-18G Growler, an E-7A Wedgetail, and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon. Imagery released by Defence confirms that at least two LRASM missiles were launched during the exercise.
The trial was part of a broader RAAF deployment to the US West Coast, which began in late January. The deployment included participation in multilateral exercises such as Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and Bamboo Eagle 25-1.
“Exercise Bamboo Eagle, established in 2024, replicates operational challenges in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on long-range strike missions, maritime operations, and multi-domain coordination,” Defence stated.
Australia’s maritime strike capabilities will be significantly enhanced by the LRASM, alongside Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM). These two weapons will replace the AGM-84 Harpoon missiles currently in use. While LRASM will eventually be deployed on the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon, F-35A Lightning II, and F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, JSM integration is expected to be limited to the F-35A fleet.
The process of acquiring LRASM has been years in the making. In February 2020, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the potential sale of 200 LRASMs to Australia for a total cost of up to US$900 million. Later that year, then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed plans to acquire an unspecified number of missiles for AU$800 million.
Further evidence of the acquisition emerged in February 2022 when Lockheed Martin was awarded a US$49 million (approximately AU$77 million) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract by the US Navy to integrate and test LRASM on RAAF F/A-18Fs. That contract is expected to conclude by March 2026.
As of early 2025, AU$895.5 million has been allocated for the purchase of LRASM. However, details regarding the exact number of missiles acquired and delivered remain undisclosed.
“The successful test firing of LRASM was made possible through the collaboration of our allies and industry partners, including the United States and Lockheed Martin,” Minister Marles added.
Although the US Navy already employs LRASM on its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and is in the process of integrating it with P-8A aircraft, Australia is currently the only nation planning to operate LRASM on its F-35A Lightning II jets.
Defence image A Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is released from a No. 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet.
