Lockheed-Martin Awarded JASSM Extended Range (ER) Development Contract

Released on Wednesday, July 02, 2003

The US Air Force awarded the Lockheed-Martin a $9.6 million contract for Preplanned Product Improvement (P3I) of the baseline AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.

In addition to the JASSM P3I, Lockheed-Martin also is studying an extended range version of the JASSM missile called Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range or JASSM ER.

According to Lockheed Martin sources, the JASSM-ER will increase baseline JASSM range to greater than 500 nautical miles (926 km) by incorporating a new engine and increasing the fuel loading.

These two modifications will not change the external appearance and dimensions of the JASSM missile.

The JASSM-ER is intended to provide the US military with the capability to strike targets at greater ranges, even releasing JASSM ERs from the outside of the theater of operations.

The JASSM ER development contract consists of two parts, the Phase I involving design activities would end in March 2004 and Phase II in November 2006 with first deliveries of JASSM ER missiles.