Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

B-2 Spirit tests LRASM anti-ship missile capability; USAF also probes 1,850-km long-range air-launched weapon needs

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed the B-2 Spirit successfully fired an AGM-158 LRASM during a sinking exercise off Guam, demonstrating a long-range anti-ship strike role. In parallel, the service is assessing interest in acquiring a new air-launched weapon with a requested range of at least 1,000 nautical miles (~1,850 km) to engage air and ground targets.

6 Sources

2026-07-01T10:59:22.654466-07:00

Axios

US Air Force seeks a new extremely long-range air-to-air missile, with initial variant work potentially split across multiple co

3 Sources

2026-07-01T03:30:18.216755-07:00

Associated Press

UK Defence Investment Plan 2026: GBP8.6bn over four years for GCAP, plus major counter-UAS spend to reshape RAF capabilities

24 Sources

2026-06-30T01:43:25.394482-07:00

The War Zone

U.S. Air Force confirms B-2A can launch AGM-158C LRASM for anti-ship strikes

12 Sources

2026-06-29T17:26:04.080662-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons News Timeline

FlightGlobal

6 sources

B-2 Spirit tests LRASM anti-ship missile capability; USAF also probes 1,850-km long-range air-launched weapon needs The U.S. Air Force has confirmed the B-2 Spirit successfully fired an AGM-158 LRASM during a sinking exercise off Guam, demonstrating a long-range anti-ship strike role. In parallel, the service is assessing interest in acquiring a new air-launched weapon with a requested range of at least 1,000 nautical miles (~1,850 km) to engage air and ground targets.

2026-07-01T10:59:22.654466-07:00

B-2 Spirit tests LRASM anti-ship missile capability; USAF also probes 1,850-km long-range air-launched weapon needs

Axios

3 sources

US Air Force seeks a new extremely long-range air-to-air missile, with initial variant work potentially split across multiple co The U.S. Air Force is pursuing a new missile built for “crazy”/very long-range air-to-air engagements. In early development, multiple companies could be contracted for the initial air-to-air variant, signaling competitive sourcing for the program’s first phase.

2026-07-01T03:30:18.216755-07:00

US Air Force seeks a new extremely long-range air-to-air missile, with initial variant work potentially split across multiple co

CNBC

1 source

Trump’s proposed defense budget targets war-stock replenishment and hypersonic missile buildout, intensifying state-by-state com Trump’s defense budget request—described as massive—sets up a rapid push to replenish depleted U.S. weapons stocks while also accelerating development and production of hypersonic missiles. The proposal is also framed as fueling competition among U.S. states to win defense work tied to the spending and hiring surge.

2026-06-30T06:29:16.345689-07:00

Trump’s proposed defense budget targets war-stock replenishment and hypersonic missile buildout, intensifying state-by-state com

AeroTime

1 source

Ukraine says France and MBDA talks progress toward a potential license to produce SCALP cruise missiles domestically Ukraine says negotiations with France and MBDA are progressing on a potential licensing arrangement to manufacture SCALP cruise missiles in-country, while emphasizing that no agreement is finalized. The discussions frame a pathway for Kyiv to expand long-range strike production capacity without locking into a confirmed deal yet.

2026-06-30T03:28:43.538594-07:00

Ukraine says France and MBDA talks progress toward a potential license to produce SCALP cruise missiles domestically

Associated Press

24 sources

❗️

UK Defence Investment Plan 2026: GBP8.6bn over four years for GCAP, plus major counter-UAS spend to reshape RAF capabilities The UK’s Defence Investment Plan 2026 commits an estimated GBP8.6 billion over four years for GCAP design and development, positioning the tri-national combat air program as a central “winner.” The package also targets tens of billions of pounds for an RAF built around manned fighters integrated with autonomous platforms, AI and advanced air defence, including roughly GBP1.8 billion for counter-UAS systems. Offsets include delays and early retirements, with helicopter and intelligence-gathering fleet reductions as some missions shift to uncrewed capabilities.

2026-06-30T01:43:25.394482-07:00

UK Defence Investment Plan 2026: GBP8.6bn over four years for GCAP, plus major counter-UAS spend to reshape RAF capabilities

The War Zone

12 sources

U.S. Air Force confirms B-2A can launch AGM-158C LRASM for anti-ship strikes The U.S. Air Force revealed for the first time that the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber can employ the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), after the weapon was shown during a recent Sinking Exercise (SINKEX). The service also highlighted B-2 LRASM operations in the Pacific, underscoring a new maritime strike capability.

2026-06-29T17:26:04.080662-07:00

U.S. Air Force confirms B-2A can launch AGM-158C LRASM for anti-ship strikes

The War Zone

7 sources

MQ-25 Stingray and MQ-28 Ghost Bat test aboard carriers as Navy advances missile interceptors and Sidewinder/Standard Missile fo A Boeing-owned MQ-25 Stingray T-1 demonstrator was embarked on the USS Nimitz during Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250 in the Atlantic, underscoring ongoing carrier air-wing experimentation. Separately, the U.S. Navy is preparing to solicit prototypes for a Standard Missile-series follow-on, while RTX won a $1.1B modification for nearly 2,000 IM-9X Sidewinder deliveries. Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat is also set to fly alongside U.S. fighters in an upcoming Valiant Shield exercise.

2026-06-29T11:42:40.861484-07:00

MQ-25 Stingray and MQ-28 Ghost Bat test aboard carriers as Navy advances missile interceptors and Sidewinder/Standard Missile fo

FlightGlobal

5 sources

Lockheed Martin wins F-35 European weapon integration and scales precision-fires production Lockheed Martin secured about $74 million to complete Meteor and Spear integration for UK and Italy F-35 Block 4 aircraft. It also won a $3 billion FY26 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) production contract for the U.S. Army, and is partnering with Insta in Tampere, Finland, to establish Europe’s first sustainment centre for M270A2 and HIMARS MLRS CFCS.

2026-06-29T07:40:42.703468-07:00

Lockheed Martin wins F-35 European weapon integration and scales precision-fires production

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