The US Air Force has disclosed that its B-2 bomber can launch stealth anti-ship missiles, specifically the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). This new capability was demonstrated during a live-fire sinking exercise in the Western Pacific, where a B-2 fired an LRASM at a decommissioned ship. The integration of LRASM onto the B-2 creates a powerful and penetrating fleet-killing combination, particularly in the Pacific region.
The B-2's ability to fire LRASM was not previously known, and the Air Force has not provided further details on the integration of the missile onto the bomber. However, the development is seen as a significant boost to the B-2's anti-ship capabilities, which already include the Quicksink precision-guided anti-ship bomb.
The LRASM is a highly autonomous missile that uses GPS-assisted inertial navigation and electronic support measures to detect and engage targets. It has a range of between 200 and 300 miles and can work cooperatively with other LRASMs during coordinated strikes.
