The US Navy wants the F-35A Lightning II to be able to destroy enemy ships with LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile). The ability to hit naval targets will be an important milestone for fifth-generation fighter jets.

We have already written that the military wants to arm the F-35 Lightning II with JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) air-to-air missiles. LRASM is also a subsonic stealth missile with advanced technologies for precise aiming and guidance.

Although the US Navy has decided not to acquire the JASSM-ER, in the case of the LRASM the military service wants to use the extended-range version. Regarding AGM-158C-3 LRASM-ER. Lockheed Martin’s missile is capable of hitting targets in a radius of more than 920 km.

LRASM is more important for the F-35 Lightning II, as the fifth-generation fighter jet has not yet received an anti-ship missile. This is because the integration of the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile (NSM), called the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) in its aviation configuration, has not yet been completed.

The LRASM anti-ship missile is a development of the JASSM. It has similar dimensions. This means the F-35 Lightning II can carry two missiles under the wing, which would undermine its stealth capabilities. Source