The War Zone media reports: Boeing has demonstrated a model of the MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone armed with a pair of Lockheed Martin AGM-158C (LRASM) long-range stealth anti-ship missiles. Although the MQ-25 is not yet ready to fulfill its primary air refueling role, the US Navy is already thinking about how to expand its capabilities.
The MQ-25 platform is being considered for a wider range of missions, including strike. However, the Navy is currently focused on using the MQ-25 as a tanker to help extend the range of warplanes. In addition, the Navy has defined the secondary tasks of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the drone. For this purpose, UAVs will be equipped with modular electro-optical sensor systems.
Giving the MQ-25 the ability to launch LRASM and possibly other weapons would be an important new development. Currently, the Super Hornet is the only US Navy aircraft capable of using LRASM. The LRASM AGM-158C-1 version in service has a claimed maximum range of 320 km to 480 km. In the future, the AGM-158C-2 should extend the range of the missile to approximately 965 km.
LRASM uses an onboard GPS-enabled inertial navigation system guidance system, as well as an infrared imaging sensor at the final stage of the flight, which autonomously selects the optimal location to engage the target.
The missile has a host of other sophisticated features, including a data link and highly autonomous route planning capability combined with electronic support functions that enable it to avoid threats and better target detection.
Overall, LRASM is expected to play a key role in a likely large-scale maritime conflict with China. In this scenario, the US military will have to confront the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China, which continues to build up its surface military capabilities.
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