B-2 bomber fires LRASM at USS Juneau in Valiant Shield 2026

During Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, U.S. airmen and sailors fired a live AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile from a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at the decommissioned USS Juneau on June 27, 2026, more than 200 nautical miles off Guam — the first public proof that the bomber can sink ships at long range in the Pacific. The sinking exercise, or SINKEX, unfolded in the Mariana Island Range Complex over the Philippine Sea and marks a major step in counter-maritime strike planning tied to Indo-Pacific deterrence.

Key Takeaways

• A B-2 from Whiteman Air Force Base loaded a live LRASM on June 22 and struck the ex-USS Juneau during Valiant Shield 2026 on June 27.
• Pacific Air Forces publicly disclosed B-2 LRASM integration for the first time, pairing the stealth bomber with a missile already carried by B-1Bs and Navy Super Hornets.
• Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarines, USS George Washington, and an F-15E Strike Eagle also took part in the joint sinking drill.
• LRASM offers more than 200 nautical miles of range and a 1,000-pound warhead — a leap from legacy Harpoon anti-ship weapons.
• For markets, the drill signals sustained demand for Lockheed Martin missile programs and long-range Pacific strike platforms.

What happened during the USS Juneau Valiant Shield sinking exercise?

The live-fire event was part of the ongoing Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in the Philippine Sea. U.S. Pacific Air Forces announced that the SINKEX occurred on June 27 inside the Mariana Island Range Complex, more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam.

Airmen from the 393rd Bomber Generation Squadron prepared a live AGM-158C LRASM on a B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on June 22. The bomber then deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, before taking off for the strike on June 27.

Images published through defense channels identify the target as the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD-10). A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine and the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) also participated. An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron joined the B-2 in the live-fire sinking exercise.

Why does a B-2 LRASM launch matter for Pacific security?

Until this announcement, LRASM integration on the B-2 had not been publicly disclosed, even though the bomber was already cleared to carry the related AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). The Aviationist notes that shared airframe design likely accelerated the anti-ship upgrade.

Naval News reports that the demonstration gives Washington a way to project global maritime strike power from the U.S. homeland aboard long-range stealth bombers — not just from carriers or regional bases. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander of Pacific Air Forces, said in a release that prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations helps maintain a decisive edge, protect national interests, and support a free and open Pacific.

The B-2 had previously exercised maritime strike with QUICKSINK, a modified JDAM variant used during RIMPAC 2024 against the ex-USS Tarawa. LRASM extends reach into more heavily defended waters, giving planners a stealth cruise missile option alongside cheaper hull-cracking bombs.

What is LRASM and who already uses it?

The AGM-158C LRASM is a low-observable anti-ship cruise missile developed through DARPA for the U.S. Air Force and Navy. Lockheed Martin builds the weapon, which is derived from the stealthy JASSM family. Naval News cites a range of more than 200 nautical miles and a 1,000-pound warhead — a significant upgrade over Cold War-era Harpoon missiles.

Carrier air wing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers already deploy LRASM. Integration work continues on P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, F-35 variants, and the F-15EX, according to Naval News reporting on the program pipeline.

Once launched, LRASM can guide toward an initial point with GPS and use onboard sensors for terminal targeting, reducing reliance on continuous data links in contested environments — a design point NAVAIR has highlighted for offensive anti-surface warfare.

What does Valiant Shield signal for defense investors?

Valiant Shield field training stresses joint coordination across multiple domains. A high-profile SINKEX with a previously undisclosed bomber capability is the kind of milestone that keeps prime contractors and supply chains in focus for anyone tracking wealth hacks and passive income plays tied to geopolitical risk.

Lockheed Martin leads LRASM production. Public confirmation of a new B-2 mission set can reinforce multi-year missile and modernization budgets even when broader defense spending faces congressional debate. Naval News ties the exercise to wider Air Force planning against peer adversaries with advanced air defenses and large naval fleets.

The Air Force is also pursuing next-generation missiles with ranges out to 1,000 nautical miles, per Naval News coverage of recent requirements tied to its Long-Range Kill Chain concept — a reminder that today's LRASM debut may be an interim capability, not the final word.

How does this fit the wider Indo-Pacific exercise picture?

Pacific Air Forces described the LRASM deployment from the B-2 Spirit as a major step forward in countering maritime threats and said it demonstrates flexibility across the globe to hold maritime vessels at risk. Official photos show the bomber taking off from Andersen Air Force Base on June 27 in support of Valiant Shield.

Sinking exercises on retired hulls give crews live feedback that simulators cannot fully replicate. Photos from the June 27 event show the USS Juneau had already taken multiple hits before a Japanese submarine fired a torpedo, underscoring the multi-platform nature of the drill.

For readers following Pacific flashpoints, the drill is less about one old ship and more about messaging: stealth bombers can now publicly employ LRASM against maritime targets far from home. Primary reporting on the B-2 LRASM load and strike comes from Air Force Global Strike Command, with additional analysis from Naval News and The Aviationist confirming the USS Juneau target and allied participation details.