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Lockheed Martin AGM-158 JASSM |
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The JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) program
was initiated in 1995 following the cancellation of the AGM-137
TSSAM (Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile) because of high
cost. Development goal was a low-observable long-range precision
guided stand-off missile for significantly lower cost than the
TSSAM. In June 1996, program-definition and risk-reduction
contracts were awarded to Lockheed Martin and McDonnell-Douglas (now
Boeing). At the same time, the missile designations AGM-158A
and
AGM-159A were allocated to the two competing JASSM designs.
In April 1998, Lockheed Martin won the development contract for the
EMD (Engineering and Manufacturing Development) phase of JASSM.
Powered flight tests of the AGM-158A began in November 1999, and
developmental testing of the missile began in January 2001. Low rate
initial production of the JASSM was approved in December 2001,
and in mid-2002, the AGM-158 officially entered the OT&E (Operational
Testing & Evaluation) phase. Two warhead-related test failures in late
2002 have delayed the program for at least three months, but JASSM
successfully completed the DT (Development Test) phase in April 2003.
However, the first two OT (Operational Test) flight tests in May 2003
failed, because of engine and launcher problems. The Air Force still
hopes to achieve initial operational capability with the JASSM
on the B-52 by September 2003, after which go-ahead for full-rate
production could be given in November.
The AGM-158A is a stealthy cruise missile powered by a Teledyne CAE
J402 turbojet. It uses flip-out wings with control surfaces and a
single vertical tail for flight control. It is guided by a
jamming-resistant GPS-aided inertial navigation system, and uses an
IIR (Imaging Infrared) seeker for autonomous pattern-based target
selection and terminal homing. The missile is armed with a 450 kg
(1000 lb) WDU-42/B insensitive munitions penetrating warhead, and
accuracy is quoted as around 2.4 m (8 ft) CEP. The AGM-158A is also
equipped with a data link to transmit status and location information
until impact to assist bomb damage assessment. The DATM-158A is
a fully inert version for ground handling training.
The JASSM will eventually be integrated with all current
U.S. strike aircraft, including the F-15E, F-16, F/A-18, F-35, B-1B,
B-2 and B-52. Current USAF requirement is for up to 3700 AGM-158
missiles. Although the U.S. Navy is a partner in the JASSM
program, it is more reluctant than the USAF to field the AGM-158,
preferring the AGM-84H/K
SLAM-ER for many missions instead. The Air Force is also
studying all kinds of upgrades for the basic AGM-158A, including
submunition dispenser warheads, new types of seekers, and the
JASSM-ER with a new engine for significantly increased range of up
to 1000 km (600 miles). The JASSM-ER was officially designated
as AGM-158B in mid-2002, and the USAF plans to award an SDD
(System Development and Demonstration) contract for the AGM-158B in
December 2003.
Specifications |
| Length |
4.27 m (14 ft) |
| Wingspan |
2.4 m (7 ft 11 in) |
| Weight |
1020 kg (2250 lb) |
| Speed |
? |
| Range |
> 370 km (200 nm) |
| Propulsion |
Teledyne CAE J402-CA-100 turbojet; 3.0 kN (680 lb) |
| Warhead |
450 kg (1000 lb) WDU-42/B penetrator |
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