By: Tuva Siegel, Warrior Editorial Fellow

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber launched an AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on June 27, 2026, sinking the decommissioned USS Juneau during a live-fire exercise known as Valiant Shield. This drill took place more than 200 nautical miles north of the Mariana Islands. It brought together U.S. and allied air, naval, and submarine forces against rising threats in the Indo-Pacific. This exercise emphasized “realistic training in detecting, tracking, and engaging threats across sea, air, land, space, and cyberspace domains to enhance overall combined and joint force readiness,” according to the U.S. Navy’s Task Force.

The event was part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, a large biennial U.S.-led multinational exercise in the Philippine Sea. Previously, in 2024, the B-2 participated in sinking exercises with the experimental QUICKSINK precision-guided bomb. QUICKSINK was actually the main weapon of choice for maritime strike roles and is a variant of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), specifically modified for maritime strikes, according to a September 2025 Warrior essay. Additionally, in June 2025, "Missouri-based B-2 Spirits dropped 14 30,000-pound GBU-57 massive ordnance penetrators against Iranian nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer," states an article by the U.S. Naval Institute.

The ship wasn't sunk with the B-2 alone; in fact, it was aided by both a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine and the USS George Washington (CVN 73) aircraft carrier, including F-35C Lightning II jets and F/A-18 Super Hornets, which participated, along with a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon that fired Harpoon missiles. When paired with a Long-Range Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (LRASM), the B-2 Spirit gained the ability to reach farther targets and those in heavily defended areas. This 2026 launch was the first publicly acknowledged use of an LRASM from a B-2. Lockheed Martin's LRASM missile has "a range of over 200 nautical miles and a warhead of 1000 pounds," and its "low-observable capabilities and use of modern technologies represents a marked leap from the Cold War-era Harpoon missiles," says Naval News.

This exercise was a coordinated and multi-weapon strike, likely emphasizing the alliance against China's People's Liberation Army Navy. According to Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces, "The B-2's impressive performance underscores the US military's commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges…By prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations, we can maintain a decisive edge over adversaries, protect our national interests and ensure the free and open Pacific that underpin our global security."

Efforts to continue pursuing meaningful and accelerated innovation in this field have led to an additional $6.1 billion in funding to accelerate the funding of the B-21 "Raider," says Interesting Engineering. "The move is seen as a response to China's progress on its own similar aircraft, the H-20 stealth bomber," and is intended to "replace the aging B-1B 'Lancer' and B-2 'Spirit' bombers."

The B-2's successful LRASM launch adds to a growing list of maritime strike demonstrations for the bomber, following its 2024 QUICKSINK tests and its role in Operation Midnight Hammer in 2025. The B-2’s performance in Midnight Hammer showcased successful upgrades and modernization and combat effectiveness of the B-2 as explained by Air Force senior leaders in an October 2025 Warrior essay. 

With Valiant Shield 2026 now concluded, the exercise stands as the latest step in the Air Force's continued push to expand the B-2's role beyond traditional bombing missions, as it works alongside allied forces and looks ahead to the arrival of the B-21 Raider. According to the exercise's concluding release, published by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “This training ensures the combined force is highly adaptable and prepared to manage any contingency in the region, from disaster response to combat.”

Tuva Siegel is an Editorial Fellow at Warrior Maven. She studies English at Kenyon College. Tuva is the author of Drömland, a fictional collection of short stories, and is currently studying weapons and military technology.