US ordered JASSM and LRASM missiles from Lockheed for USD 3 billion
The US Department of Defense has placed a large order for the purchase of JASSM and LRASM cruise and anti-ship missiles. This is reported by the official website of the US Department of Defense. The corresponding contract for the purchase of JASSM and LRASM missiles was signed for the joint purchase of missiles for both the United States and foreign customers.
The fixed-price contract of £3,230,277,154 is for the production of JASSM missiles for the US Air Force, worth £1,493,277,729.
LRASM anti-ship missiles on an F/A-18 multi-role aircraft.
Photo credits: U.S. Navy
In turn, the US Navy has allocated £176,250,000 for the purchase of LRASM anti-ship missiles. This fixed price also includes £751,690,016, which are provided for the production of JASSM missiles for foreign customers under the FMS, namely: Japan, the Netherlands, Finland and Poland.
Under this order, Lockheed Martin will begin production of JASSM Lot 22 missiles at its facilities in Orlando, Florida. The production of missiles under this large order is scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2032, which will provide the Armed Forces of these countries with increased strike capabilities to defend their sovereignty.
An AGM-158 cruise missile of the U.S. Army.
2015. Photo: flickr.com
It is worth noting that after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more and more countries have become interested in purchasing long-range cruise missiles to strengthen their own defense capabilities. In addition, the Pentagon is considering the possibility of supplying JASSM missiles to Ukraine, which will be integrated into F-16 fighter jets, allowing them to be used against Russian forces in Ukraine and Crimea.
Also, in an effort to increase the range of existing weapons, Lockheed Martin recently unveiled a new version of a cruise missile, codenamed JASSM-XR.
The new missile is a modernized version of the JASSM air-to-air cruise missile, but with a significantly increased range of up to 1600 km.