Update: US Navy advances OASuW Inc 2 development

The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO [U&W]), Precision Strike Weapons Program Office on 30 April issued a sources sought notification announcing its intention to design, develop, and procure the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Increment 2 (OASuW Inc 2) carrier aircraft-based offensive strike weapon system.

The next stage in an incremental programme to deliver the US Navy’s (USN’s) long-term, air-launched anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities, OASuW Inc 2 is intended to counter future advanced threats (peer combatant ships) from stand-off engagement distances and allow the navy to operate in, and control, contested battle space in littoral waters, and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments. An OASuW Inc Initial Operational Capability is anticipated in the fiscal year (FY) 2028–30 timeframe.

OASuW Inc 1 was an accelerated acquisition programme to procure a limited number of air-launched missiles to address a near-term fleet capability gap – identified under an Urgent Operational Needs Statement (UONS) generated in 2008 by the US Indo-Pacific Command – for a flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets. OASuW Inc 1 is delivered by the Lockheed Martin-manufactured AGM-152C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), and is fielded with the US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bomber and USN F/A-18E/F Super Hornet carrier-borne multi-role combat aircraft. LRASM is also planned for integration on the USN’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Although the navy has begun fielding OASuW Inc 1, the sources sought notes that “the threat capability continues to advance, and additional range and warfare capability and capacity is required to address the more demanding threat environment”.