Australia’s Department of Defence has shared that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) conducted a P-8A Poseidon LRASM test in Hawaii. Carried out in July as part of Exercise Medusa Fury, the test took use of the AGM-158C missile beyond the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Personnel from 92 Wing (92WG) also took part in the activity.
The test broadened the ADF’s maritime strike options and enhanced the reach and flexibility of Australia’s air and maritime integration. LRASM is an air-launched, precision-guided, semi-autonomous missile designed to destroy high-value, well-defended maritime targets at ranges exceeding 370 kilometres. Compared with other maritime strike weapons in the RAAF inventory, it can engage sophisticated maritime targets at significantly longer range.
A joint team behind the P-8A Poseidon LRASM Test
The test was carried out by a combined team from 11SQN and 12SQN under 92WG. 11SQN Commanding Officer WGCDR Melissa Houston described the effort as an important milestone for P-8A capability. According to Houston, preparations required extensive coordination with numerous Australian Defence groups and organisations, the US Navy and industry partners. Execution took place at the tactical level in Hawaii.
Photo: LACW Taylor Anderson
Houston described LRASM as the most sophisticated maritime strike capability the RAAF has ever had, and said it reinforces the strategy of denial at the core of the National Defence Strategy (NDS). The missile is also said to provide precision strike against surface targets and a credible deterrent in the region, in line with the NDS.
Under the NDS, the strategy of denial aims to change a potential adversary’s belief that it could achieve its ambitions with military force at an acceptable cost. By signalling a credible ability to hold potential adversary forces at risk, it also seeks to deter attempts to coerce Australia through force. The expansion of long-range strike capabilities identified in the NDS further enhances Defence’s ability to deliver deterrence through denial as an integrated, focused force.
The P-8A fleet and Earlier Tests
92WG commands 13 P-8As, operated by 11SQN, 12SQN and 292SQN at RAAF Base Edinburgh. The P-8A Poseidon is Australia’s multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.
LRASM was previously tested successfully by an F/A-18F Super Hornet in February 2025. In November 2025, F/A-18Fs of 1SQN completed operational testing of the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). The activity covered the long-range strike chain from weapons preparation and loading through to targeting and engagement. JASSM-ER is an air-launched, precision-guided, long-range land-strike cruise missile designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and relocatable targets at ranges of up to 900 kilometres from the point of launch.
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Source: C4Defence- RAAF
