F-35C LRASM Flight Sciences Phase One Complete

Lockheed Martin has successfully concluded the initial phase of the United States Navy F-35C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile Flight Sciences Test Program, validating the stealth fighter’s ability to carry the heavy external store.

In a press release issued on June 10, 2026, the manufacturers announced that the integration flight tests, conducted between September 2024 and April 2026 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, demonstrated the aircraft’s aerodynamic stability and handling qualities. The milestone expands the F-35C Lightning II’s multi-role mission set by introducing a stand-off strike capability against maritime targets.

Flight science and integration milestones

The flight science program focused on evaluating how the F-35C Lightning II performs while equipped with the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). Because the LRASM is a heavy external store, engineers needed to verify the aerodynamic behavior across the aircraft’s flight envelope.

A key event in the testing sequence occurred on November 6, 2025, when a United States Marine Corps pilot executed the CF-3 Flt 811 AGM-158 Rate Capture test flight. This flight, along with the broader series of tests, confirmed that the aircraft maintains acceptable handling characteristics when armed with the munition.

Expanding the maritime strike envelope

The addition of the LRASM to the F-35C arsenal allows air forces to engage enemy naval assets from outside heavily defended airspace. Lockheed Martin noted that the company leverages 20 years of operational experience in providing survivable cruise missiles to support this integration.

Jon Hill, Vice President and General Manager of Air Dominance and Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin, stated that integrating the missile provides warfighters with a capability that enhances mission flexibility and expands operational options.

Sean Jackson, Vice President of F-35 Development, highlighted the collaborative nature of the program.

“Integrating LRASM onto the proven 5th Generation F-35 is another example of how Lockheed Martin is enhancing the operational capabilities of the F-35, alongside investments from the U.S. military and its allied partners,” Jackson said.

Legislative funding and procurement context

The completion of the flight science phase aligns with continued legislative support for both the aircraft and its munitions. On June 10, 2026, the United States House Appropriations Committee released its defense spending bill for fiscal year 2027.

The proposed legislation allocates $6.9 billion to fully fund F-35 Lightning II procurement. Concurrently, the bill designates $10.6 billion for critical munitions procurement. This funding explicitly includes the LRASM and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) programs, granting multiyear procurement authority to stabilize the supply chain for these stand-off weapons.

AirPro News analysis

We view the successful integration of the LRASM onto the F-35C as a critical step in addressing the evolving threat environment in maritime theaters. While the F-35 is renowned for its internal weapons carriage to maintain a low observable signature, the ability to carry heavy external stores like the AGM-158C provides operational commanders with a necessary trade-off between maximum stealth and maximum stand-off strike range. The explicit inclusion of multiyear procurement funds for the LRASM in the fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill indicates that the United States Department of Defense is prioritizing deep magazines of anti-ship munitions. As the F-35C continues to mature in its carrier-based role, this expanded mission set will likely become a cornerstone of naval strike group tactics.

Sources: Lockheed Martin Corporation