Through an official statement issued yesterday, the Australian government reported that an F/A-18F Super Hornet of the Royal Australian Air Force conducted the first launch of the new AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missile in the United States. Specifically, the tests were carried out off the coast of California during February, with support from the U.S. Navy throughout the process.
Expanding on some details of the test, Canberra stated that the trials included the validation of weapon preparation and loading, subsequent target acquisition, and finally, the successful launch of the missile. The tests were supported by an Australian E-7A Wedgetail and an EA-18G Growler, complemented by a P-8A Poseidon from the U.S. Navy.
It is worth noting that Australian aircraft participated in two major exercises over U.S. airspace during February: Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and Bamboo Eagle 25-1. The former took place from January 27 to February 6, while the latter was conducted from February 8 to 15, with the latter being the most suitable for testing the LRASM missile. These exercises simulated large-scale operations in the Indo-Pacific, including long-range strike missions where the missile is expected to be employed in the future.
Regarding this, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, stated: “Capabilities such as the LRASM will help the Australian Defence Force protect against threats to Australia and our national interests. (…) These weapon systems equip our forces to better protect Australia’s maritime approaches and when necessary, conduct operations in our region. It will be seen across the Super Hornet, Poseidon and F-35 fleets.”
In line with this, it is essential to mention that Canberra has already announced an investment of over $895 million to proceed with the acquisition of U.S. LRASM missiles, which have proven their capabilities in these tests. This purchase is part of a broader acquisition program developed by the Australian government, with the primary goal of enhancing long-range detection and strike capabilities, for which between $28 billion and $35 billion will be allocated over the next decade.
Image credits: Australian Defence Force
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