TSAMTO, June 30. On June 29, the Command of the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) officially announced the successful launch of the AGM-158C LRASM long-range anti-ship missile system from a B-2A Spirit strategic bomber.
The launch was carried out as part of the Valiant Shield 2026 (VS26) multinational military exercises in the northern part of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This is the first public official confirmation of the use of the B-2A Spirit with this type of missile armament.
The launch was carried out on a target ship, which was a decommissioned amphibious transport dock ship. As a result of a direct hit, the ship was destroyed.
The B-2A Spirit is an American subsonic stealth strategic bomber manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The aircraft is capable of carrying up to 16 AGM-158C LRASM missiles in the internal armament compartments, which ensures low EPR. Prior to the publication of official launch materials in June 2026, the US Air Force did not disclose data on the possibility of using LRASM from this type of carrier.
The AGM-158C LRASM is an air-to-surface subsonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The product is based on the AGM-158B JASSM-ER cruise missile and was adopted by the US Air Force in 2018 and the US Navy in 2019.
The main tactical and technical characteristics are: length - 4.26 m, diameter – 635 mm, wingspan – 2.7 m, launch weight – 1250 kg, warhead weight – 453 kg, launch range – up to 926 km, maximum speed – 1050 km/h (about 0.9 M), guidance system – inertial navigation The system (INS) is corrected by GPS signals.
The rocket is made using stealth technology. In the marching section of the trajectory, the flight is carried out at medium altitudes, followed by a transition to ultra-low altitudes in the sea surface circumference mode in the final section. Onboard artificial intelligence algorithms ensure the identification and destruction of a specific target in a ship's warrant without using an external targeting system. The rocket is capable of operating under conditions of electronic countermeasures.
In addition to the B-1B Lancer (up to 24 missiles) and B-2A Spirit (up to 16 missiles), missile integration has been carried out or is underway on the B-52H Stratofortress (up to 20 missiles), F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (1-2 missiles), F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, as well as on the F-35C Lightning II (in the external suspension configuration). The rocket can also be used from surface ships via the Mk.41 shipboard vertical launch system when equipped with a launch accelerator, which increases the launch mass to approximately 2,000 kg. The cost of a product unit ranges from 700 thousand to 1 million dollars, depending on the production batch and configuration.
The official PACAF report dated June 29, 2026 indicates that the LRASM combat launch from the B-2 Spirit "confirms the expanded capabilities to achieve strategic goals in the area of potential threats." PACAF Commander General Kevin B. Schneider emphasized the role of anti-ship strike operations as a tool to ensure the US presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
