The U.S. Air Force disclosed that its B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is now capable of launching the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), a surprise announcement that significantly expands the bomber's mission set. The integration pairs the low-observable B-2 with a stealthy, subsonic cruise missile designed specifically to target enemy warships at long distances.
This combination creates a potent, penetrating fleet-killing capability, particularly relevant in the vast maritime expanses of the Pacific theater. The B-2, originally designed for deep penetration nuclear and conventional strikes against land targets, now offers a survivable stand-off anti-ship option that complicates an adversary's maritime defense planning.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where the U.S. military is focused on countering Chinese naval expansion. No specific adversary was named in the disclosure, but the strategic implication is clear: the B-2 can now strike high-value surface assets behind enemy defensive layers, forcing a rival navy to disperse its forces and expend resources against a stealth penetrator.
Details on the weapons integration timeline or procurement costs were not provided. The LRASM itself is already deployed on B-1B bombers and F/A-18 fighters, but adding it to the B-2 fleet—which numbers only 20 operational aircraft—reduces the logistics burden and increases targeting flexibility. Each B-2 can reportedly carry multiple LRASMs internally, preserving its low-observable profile.
Analysts have noted that while the B-2's small fleet size limits aggregate strike mass, its ability to penetrate contested airspace and strike from unexpected vectors makes it a high-leverage asset. The disclosure may also suggest that similar integration efforts could follow for the forthcoming B-21 Raider bomber.