B-2 Stealth Bomber Achieves Live-Fire Success with LRASM in Pacific Drill

A Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber conducted a successful live-fire test with the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a sinking exercise north of the Mariana Islands, the US Air Force announced. This operation underscores the expanding capability of U.S. forces to project power across the Indo-Pacific region amid increasing maritime competition.

The B-2, designed primarily for penetrating sophisticated air defenses and strategic strike, demonstrated its versatility by integrating the LRASM, a precision-guided missile capable of engaging heavily defended naval targets at extended ranges. This sweetening of the bomber’s armament profile complements existing air-launched anti-ship options and extends the reach against maritime adversaries.

This live-fire event forms part of a broader U.S. military push to counter China’s naval expansion in the region. The LRASM was developed specifically to enhance anti-ship lethality while reducing reliance on GPS, combining radar and infrared homing for improved target discrimination and survivability in contested environments.

The success of the LRASM integration into a stealth platform like the B-2 signals a significant evolution in long-range strike doctrine, marrying stealth and precision strike. It highlights the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining technological advantage in the Indo-Pacific, where control of sea lanes is strategically vital.

Looking ahead, this test marks a key milestone that will likely prompt further development and deployment of advanced anti-ship weapons on strategic bombers. It also sends a clear message of deterrence, as the U.S. bolsters its capability to neutralize distant maritime threats with cutting-edge technology and stealth platforms.