Understanding the Designation of Ship-Launching LRASM Missiles: A Comprehensive Guide

With the increasing complexity of modern naval warfare, the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) has become an integral part of the US military arsenal. This air-launched weapon is currently in service when launched from the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, B1-B Lancer, and soon the F-35 Lightning II and the P-8 Orion. However, the question arises regarding whether there is a different prefix for the ship-launched version of the LRASM missile.

The Tri-Service Designation System

The Tri-service Rocket and Missile Designator (AGM-158C) follows a standardized naming convention adopted in 1963 to regularize system identification and reduce confusion. This system classifies rockets and missiles based on launching environment and mission specifics, using a unique three-letter block. The first letter indicates the launch environment, with 'A' denoting air-launched, 'G' for ground-launched, 'R' for ship-launched, 'B' for multiple launch platforms, and so on.

Launch Environment Indicators

The second letter in the designation represents the specific mission of the missile:

A: Air-launched G: Ground-launched R: Ship-launched B: Multiple launch platforms more

The third letter specifies the vehicle type:

M: Guided missile R: Unguided rocket S: Satellite others

Unique Project and Design Number

Following the three-letter block is a unique project or design number. This number may be followed by a letter indicating modifications. For example, the AIM-9L Sidewinder missile has 'A' for air-launched, 'I' for air-intercept, 'M' for missile, '9' as the ninth project, and 'L' for the twelfth model.

Similarly, Harpoon missiles on F-16s are designated AGM-84L, with 'A' for air-launched, 'G' for surface attack, and so on.

Ship-Launching of LRASM

The ship-launched variant of the LRASM is designated RGM-84, with the 'R' standing for ship-launch. Meanwhile, the submarine-based version is designated UGM-84, with the 'U' for underwater. These variants include a booster stage to accelerate the missile to flight speed, unlike the air-launched variant, which does not require such a booster.

Shore-Based Harpoon

A shore-based version of the Harpoon is also available, sharing the RGM-84 designation. It has no significant differences from the ship-based version, making for easy logistics and deployment.

LRASM Ship-Launching Development

Currently, the US Navy is developing the ship-launching capability for the LRASM, aiming to replace the Harpoon missile. Once this capability is fully developed and deployed, the desired designation for this new version is likely to be RGM-158, with the 'R' indicating the ship-launch environment. Since this variant will use a booster like the RGM-84, it will be treated as a different missile for logistic purposes, making it unlikely to be designated with a 'B' for multi-platform use.

The clear understanding and application of the designation systems can significantly enhance the efficiency and interoperability of military operations, making the LRASM a valuable asset in naval warfare.