USAF orders Joint Strike Missile for its F-35s
USAF has become the third JSM customer behind Japan and Norway. (Image: Kongsberg)
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multirole version of the Naval Strike Missile. Norway funded the programme to develop and produce the JSM for the F-35 for anti-ship and land-attack missions.
The US Air Force has ordered JSMs from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace under a US$141 million under a Undefinitised Contract Action (UCA) announced on 3 June.
The missile, a joint development by Raytheon and Kongsberg, has been designed for internal carriage on Lockheed Martin F-35A multirole aircraft.
Japan and Norway have already signed contracts for JSMs and full-operational capability is expected in 2025 with integration onto the latter’s F-35s. Missile deliveries for USAF will be expected to start in 2026.
Shephard Defence Insight noted that the JSM was designed to attack land and sea targets. It has a 230kg HE blast-fragmentation warhead and a range of 185–555km depending on the profile, with inertial, GPS and terrain-reference navigation systems. The missiles come with imaging, infrared homing and a target database.
Japan selected the JSM in 2017 and, on 1 December 2020, Kongsberg announced that it was awarded a second follow-on contract valued at NOK820 million (US$78 million) with Japan buying the JSM for their fleet of F-35 fighter aircraft.
In October 2021 Kongsberg announced that it would arm the Royal Norwegian Air Force fleet of F-35As with JSM under a NOK3.9 billion contract.
In 2023, Australia’s Strategic Defence Review noted that JSM would also be integrated onto the Royal Australian Air Force F-35A, with aircraft to be upgraded to Block 4 configuration.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![RAF Protector fleet grows as UK maritime surveillance role takes shape]()
RAF Protector fleet grows as UK maritime surveillance role takes shape
The RAF’s expanding Protector RG1 fleet could play a growing role in UK maritime surveillance following its first domestic operational sorties, with further aircraft deliveries scheduled through 2027.
-
![Leonardo details Proteus’s path to autonomous anti-submarine missions for the Royal Navy]()
Leonardo details Proteus’s path to autonomous anti-submarine missions for the Royal Navy
Leonardo’s integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind software could enable its Proteus uncrewed helicopter to conduct independent anti-submarine warfare missions, supporting the Royal Navy’s plans for a future hybrid air wing.
-
![Oshkosh and Grid Aero tie-up tests new model for scaling military UAS production]()
Oshkosh and Grid Aero tie-up tests new model for scaling military UAS production
By combining established manufacturing capacity with startup aircraft design, the partnership could offer an alternative approach to scaling military uncrewed aircraft production.
-
![European funding and NATO interoperability could shape Polish helicopter plans]()
European funding and NATO interoperability could shape Polish helicopter plans
Poland is seeking to update its transport helicopters as part of a wider military aviation modernisation programme, with EU funding requirements and NATO interoperability key considerations.
-
![Poland air focus: $8.27 billion UAV market highlights value of long-term supplier relationships]()
Poland air focus: $8.27 billion UAV market highlights value of long-term supplier relationships
Poland’s growing investment in UAVs highlights how recurring procurement contracts and continuous technological development can provide suppliers with sustained opportunities beyond initial acquisitions.
