The US Air Force’s (USAF) F-16 fighter aircraft are set to receive expanded combat capabilities with the future integration of long-range anti-ship missiles (LRASM).
In a presolicitation notice, the US Naval Air Systems Command announced plans to award Lockheed Martin a deal to integrate the AGM-158 C-1 LRASM onto the USAF’s Fighting Falcons.
Already arming the US Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and USAF B-1 Lancer, the precision-guided stealth munitions are capable of engaging maritime threats at a range of 200 nautical miles (230 miles/370 kilometers).
Based on the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) design, the LRASM is a subsonic missile with a 1,000-pound (453-kilogram) blast fragmentation warhead.
It features advanced sensors and semi-autonomous guidance that enables it to make course adjustments to engage moving targets effectively.
Preparation for a Pacific Conflict
The US military has been actively pushing to equip its various aircraft with long-range strike capabilities in preparation for a potential conflict in the Pacific, particularly after US Admiral John Aquilino claimed that China is “on track” to possibly invade Taiwan by 2027.
So far, the navy is in the process of integrating the LRASM on its P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and test-launched four LRASMs simultaneously for the first time in April last year.
In early January, the Naval Air Systems Command announced plans to add the long-range missile system to its F-15E/EX platform’s arsenal.
Meanwhile, the stealth anti-ship cruise missiles equipped on the US Marine Corps and Navy’s F-35 fighter jets completed initial flight tests.
However, solely relying on long-range capabilities is insufficient for winning conflicts because “it can’t apply constant pressure to the adversary,” argued Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, USAF Director for Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming.
“I will adamantly say we are not transitioning to this all long-range force because alone that just doesn’t work,” Kunkel responded to a question on whether the service is “shifting to a heavily standoff or all standoff force” during a Hudson Institute discussion in February 2025.
Instead, he emphasized a combined arms approach using long-range forces with forward-deployed forces to achieve and maintain operational tempo and superiority.
