The U.S. Air Drive revealed for the primary time that the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber can make use of the AGM-158C Lengthy Vary Anti-Ship Missile, after the weapon was featured in a current Sinking Train.
The U.S. Air Drive’s Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) command introduced that the B-2A Spirit not too long ago took half in a live-fire Sinking Train (SINKEX). What distinguishes this SINKEX from previous ones which already noticed the B-2’s involvement is the employment of the brand new AGM-158C Lengthy Vary Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), whose integration on the stealth bomber was not beforehand disclosed.
The bomber was already cleared to hold the same AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Floor Standoff Missile (JASSM), thus making the combination faster. As we beforehand defined right here at The Aviationist, each weapons share the identical baseline airframe, with the variations being primarily inner.
The SINKEX
The SINKEX was a part of the continued Train Valiant Protect 2026 within the Philippine Sea, with the particular occasion happening on June 27, 2026, within the Mariana Island Vary Complicated. The weapon struck a maritime vessel, which was not recognized by neither the press launch nor the captions accompanying the photographs.
Nevertheless, pictures launched on the DVIDS community present that the vessel concerned was the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD 10). The caption, according to the B-2’s ones, point out that the SINKEX was performed greater than 200 nautical miles off the coast within the Mariana Islands Vary Complicated on June 27.
A Japan Maritime Self- Protection Drive submarine and the united statesGeorge Washington (CVN 73) plane provider have been additionally concerned within the train. Photographs captured earlier than the a Japanese torpedo was fired present that the united statesJuneau was already struck by at the least three weapons, certainly one of which may have been the LRASM fired by the B-2.
In coordination with the Royal Australian Air Drive and U.S. Navy, a Royal New Zealand Air Drive P-8A Poseidon plane and crew from No. 5 Squadron efficiently fired two AGM-84 Harpoon guided missiles at a decommissioned goal ship, with each missiles hitting the goal. pic.twitter.com/fPm0SRRjuq
— AvScanNZ 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Trav) July 1, 2026
The ship was additionally struck by two AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles launched by a Royal New Zealand Air Drive P-8A Poseidon, within the first live-fire missile launch by the service’s Poseidons. Photographs later relased by Japan’s Joint Employees present that the submarine which fired the torpedo was not alone, as the united statesJuneau was engaged by a JMSDF SH-60 helicopter which fired a AGM-114 Hellfire, a JMSDF destroyer which launched a Kind 90 anti-ship missile and a JASDF F-2 fighter which launched a ASM-2/Kind-93 anti-ship missile.
６月２７日、戦闘機等による多国間での対除籍船実射爆撃訓練を実施しました。自衛隊は引き続き同盟国・同志国との連携を強化し、インド太平洋地域における抑止力及び対処力の強化を図り、地域の平和と安定に寄与してまいります。#ヴァリアントシールド #VS26 pic.twitter.com/RZfTWZR2Iz
— 防衛省統合幕僚監部 (@jointstaffpa) June 28, 2026
The B-2’s Involvement
This isn’t the primary time a B-2A Spirit participates in a SINKEX. For example, the bomber took half within the sinking of the decommissioned Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), participating it with a 2,000 pound QUICKSINK weapon throughout RIMPAC 2024.
QUICKSINK is a variant of the Joint Direct Assault Munition (JDAM) modified for maritime strike, which contains a devoted seeker for this function. The weapon was described as “a brand new low-cost, air-delivered functionality for defeating maritime threats.”
In recent times, QUICKSINK was the primary weapon employed by the stealth bomber within the maritime strike function. The addition of the AGM-158C LRASM offers the B-2 Spirit the flexibility to achieve maritime targets farther away and in closely defended areas.
The photographs exhibits that the B-2 was loaded with a stay LRASM at Whiteman Air Drive Base, Missouri, June 22, in preparation for the train. The bomber later deployed to Andersen Air Drive Base, Guam, from the place it took off for the SINKEX on June 27.
“The B-2’s spectacular efficiency underscores the US army’s dedication to adaptability and suppleness within the face of rising safety challenges,” mentioned Normal Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Forces. “By prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations, we are able to preserve a decisive edge over adversaries, shield our nationwide pursuits and make sure the free and open Pacific that underpin our international safety.”
PACAF describes the deployment of the LRASM from the B-2 Spirit as a serious step ahead in countering maritime threats. Within the captions, the command additional mentioned that this demonstrates “flexibility throughout the globe and maintain maritime vessels in danger.”
The AGM-158C LRASM
The AGM-158C LRASM, primarily based on the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Floor Standoff Missile – Prolonged Vary (JASSM-ER), is the brand new low-observable anti-ship cruise missile developed by DARPA (Protection Superior Analysis Tasks Company) for the U.S. Air Drive and U.S. Navy. NAVAIR describes the weapon as an outlined near-term resolution for the Offensive Anti-Floor Warfare (OASuW) air-launch functionality hole that can present versatile, long-range, superior, anti-surface functionality in opposition to high-threat maritime targets.
NAVAIR says the weapon reduces dependency on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, community hyperlinks, and GPS navigation in digital warfare environments. In reality, as soon as launched, LRASM guides to an preliminary level utilizing a GPS steerage system and employs onboard sensors to find, establish, and supply terminal steerage to the goal. Semi-autonomous steerage algorithms will enable it to make use of less-precise goal cueing knowledge to pinpoint particular targets within the contested area.
There are at the moment three variants which comprise the OASuW Increment 1 program, designated LRASM 1.0, LRASM 1.1, and LRASM C-3. The LRASM 1.0 variant, which was fielded with early operational functionality in 2019, has already been built-in on the B-1B Lancer and F/A-18E/F Tremendous Hornet.
The newer LRASM 1.1 variant was fielded in 2023 and is present process Preliminary Operational Take a look at & Analysis, in line with the Director, Operational Take a look at and Analysis’s report. The weapon can also be being built-in on the P-8A Poseidon.
As for the long run LRASM C-3, which provides prolonged vary functionality, this system deliberate a land strike functionality was a part of the LRASM C-3 improve however has since determined to stay centered on floor warfare capabilities. The missile idea of operations and system necessities have been accomplished final 12 months, specializing in anti-surface warfare employment vary and updating the missile goal risk library in comparison with LRASM 1.1.
The Navy has scheduled LRASM C-3 early operational functionality (EOC) for 4QFY26. In the meantime, the Division of Protection continues to plan for OASuW Increment 2 to be developed by way of full and open competitors, with EOC anticipated in FY29 and preliminary operational functionality anticipated in FY31. The Navy funded LRASM C-3 to bridge the hole till an OASuW Increment 2 program of file is established.
