March 4 (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Lockheed

Martin ( LMT ) said on Tuesday it completed an initial flight

test integrating a long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM) weapon

system onto the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet.

The upgrade will allow the F-35 fighter jet to carry

Lockheed's AGM-158 strike systems - the Joint Air-to-Surface

Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile

(LRASM).

"Integration of the AGM-158 strike systems family delivers

increased reach and lethality against heavily protected,

strategic targets," Jon Hill, vice president, Air Dominance and

Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control,

said.

The test, conducted in collaboration with the F-35 Pax River

Integrated Test Force, marked the inaugural flight of the F-35B

with advanced weapons.

The F-35 program contributes about 30% of the company's

revenue. However, it has been facing delays in rolling out a

technology upgrade known as Technology Refresh 3, which aims to

improve the jet's displays and processing power.