Long Range Anti - Ship Missile The Long Range Anti - Ship Missile ( LRASM ) is an anti - ship missile being developed by DARPA for the US Navy . Design . Unlike current anti - ship missiles the LRASM will be capable of conducting autonomous targeting , relying on on - board targeting systems to independently acquire the target without the presence of prior , precision intelligence , or supporting services like Global Positioning Satellite navigation and data - links . These capabilities will enable positive target identification , precision engagement of moving ships and establishing of initial target cueing in extremely hostile environment . The missile will be designed with advanced counter - countermeasures to effectively evade hostile active defense systems . The LRASM is based on the AGM - 158B JASSM - ER , but incorporates a multi - mode radio frequency sensor , a new weapon datalink and altimeter , and an uprated power system . It has a reduced range than the JASSM - ER , similar to that of the original JASSM . It can be directed to attack enemy ships by its launch platform , receive updates via its datalink , or use onboard sensors to find its target . LRASM will fly towards its target at medium altitude then drop to low altitude for a sea skimming approach to counter anti - missile defenses . LRASM is designed to be compatible with the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System used on many US Navy ships and to be fired from aircraft , including the B - 1 bomber . For surface launches , LRASM will be fitted with a modified Mk 114 jettison - able rocket booster to give it enough power to reach altitude . Although priority development is on air and surface - launched variants , Lockheed is exploring the concept of a submarine - launched variant . History . The program was initiated in 2009 and started along two different tracks . LRASM - A is a subsonic cruise missile based on Lockheed Martin ' s 500 nm - range AGM - 158 JASSM - ER - Lockheed Martin was awarded initial development contracts . LRASM - B was planned to be a high - altitude supersonic missile along the lines of the Indo - Russian Brahmos , but it was cancelled in January 2012 . Captive carry flight tests of LRASM sensors began in May 2012 ; a missile prototype is planned to fly in " early 2013 " and the first canister launch is intended for " end 2014 " . On October 1 , 2012 , Lockheed received a contract modification to perform risk reduction enhancements in advance of the upcoming flight test of the air - launched LRASM A version . On March 5 , 2013 , Lockheed received a contract to begin conducting air and surface - launch tests of the LRASM . Three air - launched tests are scheduled for 2013 , with one from a B - 1 Lancer . Two surface - launch tests are scheduled for 2014 . The contract includes risk reduction efforts , such as electromagnetic compatibility testing of the missile and follow - on captive carry sensor suite missions . On June 3 , 2013 , Lockheed successfully conducted " push through " tests of a simulated LRASM on the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System ( VLS ) . Four tests verified the LRASM can break the canister ' s forward cover without damaging the missile . On July 11 , 2013 , Lockheed reported successful completion of captive - carry testing of the LRASM on a B - 1 Lancer . On August 27 , 2013 , Lockheed conducted the first flight test of the LRASM , launched from a B - 1 . Halfway to its target , the missile switched from following a pre - planned route to autonomous guidance . It autonomously detected its moving target , a 260 ft unmanned ship out of three in the target area , and hit it in the desired location with an inert warhead . The purpose of the test was to stress the sensor suite , which detected all the targets and only engaged the one it was told to . Two more flight tests are planned this year , involving different altitudes , ranges , and geometries in the target area . Two launches from vertical launch systems are planned for summer 2014 . The missile had a sensor designed by BAE Systems . The sensor is designed to enable targeted attacks within a group of enemy ships protected by sophisticated air defense systems . It autonomously located and targeted the moving surface ship . The sensor uses advanced electronic technologies to detect targets within a complex signal environment , and then calculates precise target locations for the missile control unit . On September 17 , 2013 , Lockheed launched an LRASM Boosted Test Vehicle ( BTV ) from a Mk 41 VLS canister . The company - funded test showed the LRASM , fitted with the Mk - 114 rocket motor from the RUM - 139 VL - ASROC , could ignite and penetrate the canister cover and perform a guided flight profile .