Particle.news
Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
2d ago

Australia Declares Initial Operational Capability for JASSM‑ER and LRASM

This gives Australia the ability to strike distant land or maritime targets from aircraft, bringing long‑range deterrence closer to operational use.

In July 2026, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and personnel from No 92 Wing deployed on Exercise Medusa Fury 26 to Hawaii to conduct testing of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). Image Defence Australia
Screengrab showing a live AGM-158B JASSM-ER released from the right wing of an RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to No. 82 Wing, over the Woomera Test Range, South Australia during Exercise MULGA VENOM 2025 in November 2025. (Image credit: Australian Defence Force)
Image

Overview

  • The Australian Department of Defence announced on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, that the RAAF has declared Initial Operational Capability for the AGM‑158B JASSM‑ER and AGM‑158C LRASM for use from F/A‑18F Super Hornets and P‑8A Poseidons.
  • Defence says the JASSM‑ER can reach up to about 900 kilometres for land attack and the LRASM can engage maritime targets at more than 370 kilometres, with both missiles sharing a low‑observable body and a large warhead.
  • Operational testing that validated loading, targeting and weapon engagement included two LRASM firings at Point Mugu in February 2025, two JASSM‑ER firings at Woomera in November 2025, and an LRASM strike by an RAAF P‑8A during RIMPAC/Medusa Fury in July 2026.
  • Australia procured the missiles through U.S. Foreign Military Sales with U.S. industry support and contract awards, the government has set aside funding for the buys, and Defence plans further integration of the weapons onto other platforms including the F‑35A.
  • The IOC furthers Canberra’s shift to long‑range strike and deterrence‑by‑denial under its National Defence Strategy and could change regional planning by giving the ADF longer reach to hold ships and infrastructure at risk while changing training, basing and logistics for air and maritime crews.