Lockheed receives JASSM-ER order
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $116.8 million contract by the US Air Force (USAF) for continued production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), the company announced on 21 April.
This contract, which includes 100 JASSM-ER missiles, exercises an option in the Lot 14 contract. Work related to this contract option will be complete by June 2019. It brings the total number of JASSM-ER and JASSM missiles delivered or under contract to over 2,700.
Jason Denney, program director of long-range strike systems, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘JASSM and JASSM-ER offer affordable, survivable, stand-off lethality needed for today’s modern threats.’
JASSM is a long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile designed to destroy high-value fixed and re-locatable targets. It is a 2,000lbs class weapon with a penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead. It uses precision routing and guidance using an infrared seeker and anti-jam GPS.
JASSM-ER and JASSM share the same characteristics and capabilities, though JASSM-ER’s range is two-and-a-half times more than that of JASSM. Both missiles can be used in all weather conditions.
More from Defence Notes
-
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.