In a presolicitation released today by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), it was announced that the AGM-158 C-1 LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) will be integrated on the F-16. LRASM is the anti-ship derivative of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), and is currently integrated on the B-1B Lancer & F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with efforts underway for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, P-8 Poseidon, F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for JASSM, LRASM and F-16 as well. NAVAIR states that they intend to “enter into sole source negotiations and subsequently award a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Delivery Order (DO) to Lockheed Martin Corporation-Missiles Fire Control (LMMFC) against Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) N00019-23-G-0002.”
Late last month the US Air Force announced that they had conducted a rapid integration test of the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile on their F-16s. Harpoon has long been in service with many Foreign Military Sales F-16 operators, but not with the US Air Force’s own F-16s. The addition of LRASM to F-16’s weapons suite, on top of Harpoon, is indicative of the growing role the US Air Force sees for themselves in the maritime domain. As successive US administrations have continued to emphasize a strategic pivot towards the Indo-Pacific region, all the Services of the US Armed Forces are jostling to demonstrate their relevance to the US Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility.