The U.S. War Department announced on March 6, 2026, a $53.1 million contract modification for Lockheed Martin to support expanded production of the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, a stealthy precision weapon designed to strike heavily defended naval targets at extended range. The funding will be used to acquire tooling and test equipment, a move that suggests the Pentagon is strengthening the industrial capacity required to produce the missile at higher volume rather than simply adding incremental orders. LRASM is a key element of U.S. maritime strike capability, currently deployed on platforms such as the B-1B bomber and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The contract reflects growing emphasis on long-range anti-ship warfare as U.S. planners prepare for potential high-end naval conflict scenarios. By investing in production infrastructure, the Pentagon is signaling that sustained output of advanced anti-ship weapons will remain a priority for future force readiness. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| Lockheed Martin demonstrated the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile’s operational capability in 2018 when a U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber successfully launched two LRASMs that autonomously navigated to and struck a moving maritime target during a test over the Sea Range near Point Mugu, California (Picture Source: U.S. Air Force) |