The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) was in development for more than a decade before it entered into service with the USAF in 2009. As of 2014, it has been in use not only by U.S. armed forces but also those of Australia and Finland. Orders for JASSM systems have been placed by the Polish armed forces, too.
Lockheed Martin reports it has a new, $116.8-million contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue producing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM®-ER) — a conventional missile in use by U.S. Air Force and some allied armed forces. It is a system designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed, and relocatable targets from significant distance, keeping the F/A-18A/B air crews out of danger from hostile air-defense systems.
Lockheed manufacturers the JASSM and JASSM-ER missiles at Troy, Ala. The new order covers 100 new missiles and exercises an option in a contract (Lot 14) awarded last December. The JASSM-ER was approved for full-rate production in 2014.
Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries.
