Ellsworth named EOC basing location for LRASM

Lockheed Martin successfully fired two production representative Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) from a U.S. Air Force B-1B on May 23, 2018. In the event over the Sea Range at Point Mugu, California, a B-1 bomber from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, released the pair of LRASMs. The missiles navigated through all planned waypoints, transitioned to mid-course guidance and flew toward the moving maritime target using inputs from the onboard sensors. The missiles then positively identified the intended target and impacted successfully. (Courtesy Photo)

Ellsworth named EOC basing location for LRASM

Published June 22, 2018
By 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Air Force Global Strike Command authorized Ellsworth as the early operational capacity basing location for the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile in an AFGSC memorandum released June 12, 2018.

Ellsworth aircrew and the B-1 bombers will be the first base and airframe to train and qualify on the LRASM, a modified Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile used to strike enemy ships from long distances. This marks the first time the missile has gone from test phase to operational phase.

The decision confirmed Ellsworth has the resources needed to support LRASM training and fielding while also meeting the requirements specified in the munitions' capability development document. Aircrews at the 28th Bomb Wing began training this week on the advanced missile system.

"We are excited to be the first aircraft in the U.S. Air Force to train on the weapon," said Col. John Edwards, 28th Bomb Wing commander. "I have no doubt our Airmen will ensure the completion of all the necessary requirements for LRASM's EOC declaration. This future addition to the B-1 bombers' arsenal increases our lethality in the counter-sea mission to support combatant commanders worldwide."