Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles / Geleide Wapens ontwikkelingen

[Harald]

New US JASSM XR Cruise Missile Enhances Long-Range Strikes Against China and Russia's Air Defenses.

In September 2024, American Company Lockheed Martin unveiled the AGM-158 JASSM XR (eXtreme Range), a cutting-edge evolution of its Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family. Designed to address the growing challenges posed by advanced anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems, the JASSM-XR enables U.S. forces to strike vital infrastructure, military bases, and missile launch facilities from ranges exceeding 1,850 kilometers. This unprecedented range ensures that U.S. platforms can operate from beyond the effective reach of China's and Russia's sophisticated defensive networks, safeguarding mission-critical assets while delivering precision-guided payloads deep into contested territory.

The JASSM family of missiles has become a cornerstone of the U.S. military's strategic arsenal since the introduction of the AGM-158A in 2003. Designed to strike high-value, heavily defended targets, these missiles utilize stealth technology, advanced guidance systems, and long-range capabilities. Subsequent variants, including the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Extended Range) and the AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile), further enhanced the series with extended operational ranges and specialized functionalities. The AGM-158 XR builds on this legacy, pushing the boundaries of range, payload delivery, and platform compatibility. Lockheed Martin's emphasis on leveraging proven technologies ensures the missile offers low developmental risk while delivering cutting-edge performance.

The AGM-158 JASSM XR stands out for its unprecedented range, estimated to exceed 1,850 km (1,150 miles). This range nearly doubles that of the JASSM-ER and is made possible by an extended airframe and additional internal fuel capacity. Such enhancements allow the missile to strike critical targets deep within enemy territory without exposing launch platforms to advanced air defenses. The missile also retains its stealth design, reducing its radar cross-section to remain undetected by sophisticated radar systems employed by adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. Equipped with a combat-proven 1,000-pound (453.6 kg) penetrator warhead, the XR variant ensures precise strikes on hardened targets such as command bunkers, airbases, and critical infrastructure. Its advanced GPS/INS guidance and onboard sensors further enhance accuracy, enabling effective operations across a wide range of scenarios.

The AGM-158 JASSM XR's long-range and advanced features make it particularly valuable against nations with robust A2/AD networks. China, for instance, has developed an extensive network of surface-to-air missile systems, long-range radars, and advanced fighter aircraft to protect strategic targets in the Indo-Pacific region. The JASSM-XR allows U.S. forces to target vital infrastructure, military bases, and missile launch facilities from beyond the range of China's defenses, including its DF-21 and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Against Russia, the JASSM-XR provides a critical tool for neutralizing hardened and concealed targets within its extensive air defense network, such as the S-400 and S-500 air defense missile systems. The missile's stealth and extreme range allow it to penetrate deep into Russian territory, striking critical nodes like air defense headquarters, strategic airbases, and command-and-control centers. The JASSM-XR offers a strategic edge in the Middle East against Iran's entrenched military infrastructure and extensive missile capabilities. Iran's reliance on underground facilities for missile production and storage makes it a challenging adversary. The XR's ability to deliver precise strikes on such hardened targets ensures that U.S. forces can degrade Iranian capabilities while minimizing collateral damage.

Compared to its predecessors, the JASSM XR offers significant advantages, particularly its extended operational range, which enables strikes from safer stand-off distances. The missile ensures survivability even in heavily defended environments by leveraging proven stealth technology. Additionally, the use of existing platform compatibility minimizes logistical challenges, enabling rapid deployment across U.S. and allied forces.

The JASSM XR reflects the U.S. military's focus on maintaining a strategic advantage against peer and near-peer adversaries. Its ability to strike critical targets deep within heavily defended zones enhances operational flexibility and serves as a credible deterrent. In an era where long-range precision strike capabilities are essential, the AGM-158 XR ensures the U.S. and its allies remain equipped to counter emerging threats and project power effectively across the globe.

This development underscores Lockheed Martin's commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern warfare while preserving the low-risk, combat-proven reliability that has defined the JASSM family. The AGM-158 JASSM XR marks a critical milestone in precision-strike technology, ensuring its relevance in future conflicts.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/exclusive-new-us-jassm-xr-cruise-missile-enhances-long-range-strikes-against-china-and-russias-air-defenses

[Sparkplug]

New air-to-surface weapon achieves milestone release



SIAW drop

A 40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon releases a Stand-in Attack Weapon for the first time Nov. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The mission marked the first time the weapon was successfully released from an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles)

Published Dec. 2, 2024

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A tactical air-to-surface missile, known as the Stand-in Attack Weapon, successfully released from a 40th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon for the first time Nov. 7 over the Gulf of Mexico.

The goal of the test was to prove the new weapon could separate from an aircraft successfully, a major milestone, so further testing can begin.

The new SiAW missile is designed to provide strike capability against rapidly relocatable targets like cruise and antiship missile launchers and jamming platforms. The test missile used, called a jettison test vehicle, contained no rocket motor or internal electronics.  The JTV is a tool used specifically to determine whether the weapon safely separates from the aircraft upon commanded release.

This milestone test brought together a host of 96th Test Wing units to coordinate, monitor and execute this mission.

Test conductors planned and controlled the mission out of the Eglin Central Control Facility. Engineers monitored the separation and will conduct post-flight analysis soon.  Pilots and photographers flew the mission and captured the aerial test footage.

The Air Force Armament Directorate is responsible for SiAW program.

"Successful execution of this test was a testament to the outstanding teamwork from everyone involved," said Maj. James Tipton, 780th Test Squadron assistant director of operations.

https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3981691/new-air-to-surface-weapon-achieves-milestone-release/


The first SiAW test article delivered to the US Air Force. Northrop Grumman

https://www.twz.com/air/stand-in-attack-missile-released-from-fighter-for-first-time-in-usaf-test

[Harald]

Nederland wil meedoen aan ELSA 

Nederland wil meedoen aan de European Long Range Strike Approach (ELSA) om conventionele langeafstandswapens met grote precisie te ontwikkelen. Zoals minister van Defensie Ruben Brekelmans schrijft op het internetplatform

Als onderdeel van het door Frankrijk gelanceerde initiatief moeten capaciteiten voor precisieaanvallen over lange afstanden worden ontwikkeld. Tot nu toe nemen naast Frankrijk ook de landen Duitsland, Polen, Groot-Brittannië, Zweden en Italië deel aan ELSA. Volgens berichten zullen begin december verdere discussies over de inhoud van het initiatief plaatsvinden.


Fabrikant MBDA heeft al landlanceringsconcepten ontwikkeld voor de Missile de Croisiere Naval (MdCN)

Frankrijk beschikt al over een langeafstandsraket, de Missile de Croisiere Naval (MdCN), die met enkele aanpassingen mogelijk als onderdeel van ELSA kan worden ingezet.

Daarnaast werkt het Franse Ministerie van Defensie aan de ontwikkeling van een Hypersonic Glide Vehicle, een hypersonisch wapen, genaamd V-MaX, dat in 2023 al op de vlucht is getest.

https://www.hartpunkt.de/niederlande-wollen-sich-an-elsa-beteiligen/

[Harald]

Germany Plans To Buy Advanced New Taurus Cruise Missiles: Report

Germany is seeking 600 examples of the new version of Taurus amid a resurgence of interest in conventional long-range strike in Europe.



Germany has announced plans to acquire 600 examples of a new version of the Taurus air-launched conventional cruise missile, which would provide a major boost to the country's long-range strike capabilities. Unclear is whether the Taurus Neo purchase might finally see approval for the transfer of older Taurus KEPD 350 weapons to Ukraine, with Berlin so far having blocked such a move despite Kyiv's requests for them. Even if Ukraine gets its wish, it will be a long time before the Taurus Neo comes online, potentially freeing up older KEPD 350 versions.

The German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius wants to buy advanced versions of the missiles, but has yet to secure funds from the government, according to a report in the Spiegel magazine.

The same source states that the 600 new missiles would cost around $2.3 billion and could see the first deliveries in 2029.

Pistorius plans for the Taurus Neo to be included as an option in the 2025 budget, which would require a starting investment of around $379 million.

The Luftwaffe or German Air Force already received 600 of the original Taurus KEPD 350 missiles, which have a range of more than 500 kilometers (311 miles). In German service, these are launched from the Tornado swing-wing strike fighter. Although they have also been tested from the Eurofighter EF2000, the Luftwaffe doesn't currently use the more modern fighter as a Taurus delivery platform.

It's unclear what platform the Taurus Neo would be launched from, but the upcoming retirement of the Tornado fleet makes this much less likely. That would leave the Eurofighter as the most likely option. Potential integration on the F-35A stealth fighter, which Germany has also ordered, seems highly unlikely, with the missile needing a significant redesign to even fit in the internal weapons bay on the U.S.-made jet.

Looking further ahead, Germany could plan to add the Taurus Neo to the crewed fighter that will be at the center of the next-generation combat aircraft program being pursued by Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain, known as the Future Combat Air System, or FCAS.

https://www.twz.com/air/germany-plans-to-buy-advanced-new-taurus-cruise-missiles-report

Pistorius will moderne Taurus-Marschflugkörper kaufen
https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundeswehr-boris-pistorius-will-moderne-taurus-marschflugkoerper-kaufen-a-8e975b16-d9bf-4e02-952c-c3a2c52311de

[Harald]

Land Cruise Missile (LCM) system, a new ground-launched Deep Precision Strike capability




https://newsroom.mbda-systems.com/mbda-expands-its-deep-precision-strike-capabilities-with-the-land-cruise-missile-system/

[Harald]

Projekt ELSA (,,European Long-Range Strike Approach").

Let it go (long): France joins Germany, Italy and Poland in new ELSA long-range missile project
In a separate event, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters that more long-range missiles in Europe were "necessary for deterrence and peace."

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/07/let-it-go-long-france-joins-germany-italy-and-poland-in-new-elsa-long-range-missile-project/


(vertaald naar het Nederlands vanuit het Engels)

NAVO-TOP 2024 — Defensieleiders van vier Europese mogendheden hebben deze week aangekondigd dat ze van plan zijn om samen te werken aan de ontwikkeling van nieuwe langeafstandswapens om de gaten in de Europese verdediging te dichten die zijn ontstaan ��door de gevechten in Oekraïne.

De ministers van Defensie van Frankrijk, Duitsland, Italië en Polen tekenden donderdag een intentieverklaring voor wat zij de European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) noemen. Volgens de Franse ambassade in de VS zal het initiatief "de landen in staat stellen om capaciteiten te ontwikkelen, produceren en leveren op het gebied van langeafstandsaanvallen, wat de weg vrijmaakt voor samenwerking gericht op het versterken van onze militaire capaciteiten en de Europese defensie- en industriële basis."

De inspanning omvat de ontwikkeling van "raketten met een bereik van meer dan 500 kilometer", die bedoeld zijn om "een gat in de Europese arsenalen te vullen dat volgens [deelnemende landen] is blootgelegd door de Russische oorlog in Oekraïne."

Reuters meldde specifiek , op basis van een militaire bron, dat het project voorziet in een kruisraket met een bereik van tussen de 1.000 en 2.000 kilometer.

Er zijn weinig aanvullende details over het project vrijgegeven. De Europese raketfabrikant MBDA kondigde vorige maand aan dat het een nieuwe landgebaseerde kruisraket ontwikkelde, creatief Land Cruise Missile genoemd, gebaseerd op een bestaande marinevariant.

Die nieuwe munitie "zal dezelfde unieke mogelijkheden bieden als de [marinevariant], waaronder: metrische precisie op zeer lange afstand; hoge overlevingskansen bij het doordringen van vijandelijke geïntegreerde luchtverdedigingssystemen dankzij een verminderde radardoorsnede en terreinvolgend vermogen; en een hoge dodelijkheid tegen doelen," aldus de aankondiging van MBDA.

De Franse minister van Defensie Sebastian Lecornu zei donderdag dat het nieuwe Frans-Duits-Pools-Italiaanse project open zou staan ��voor andere partners. De Franse regering zei dat het project "een beroep zou kunnen doen op Europese financiering."

"Het idee is om het zo breed mogelijk open te stellen," vertelde Lecornu aan verslaggevers, volgens Reuters, en gaf aan dat de nieuwe Labour-regering van Groot-Brittannië er zou kunnen komen. "Het heeft waarde, ook op budgettair niveau, omdat het uiteraard ook de mogelijkheid biedt om de verschillende kosten af ��te schrijven."

De door Europa ontwikkelde raket zou een oplossing bieden voor twee met elkaar verbonden zorgen van Europese militaire planners: de behoefte aan een grotere capaciteit voor langeafstandsaanvallen en de noodzaak om de capaciteit van de industriële basis van het continent om wapens op grote schaal en snel te produceren, aanzienlijk uit te breiden.

"Eerlijk gezegd hebben we nu in Europa een defensie-industriële basis die is gevormd voor een vredessituatie, en dan kijken we naar de oorlog in Oekraïne — het is een uitputtingsslag, een oorlog van opslagplaatsen," zei de Zweedse minister van Defensie Pal Johnson woensdag tijdens een apart NAVO-evenement. "Dus ik denk dat we veel moeten doen om de industriële productie op te voeren."

Het nieuwe ontwikkelingsprogramma voor langeafstandsraketten komt op het moment dat Berlijn aankondigde dat het de VS zou toestaan ��om zijn eigen langeafstandsraketten op Duits grondgebied te plaatsen, wat door Moskou werd veroordeeld.

In een gesprek met verslaggevers op donderdag wees de Duitse bondskanselier Olaf Scholz de Russische kritiek op die zet van de hand, door te zeggen dat langeafstandswapens "noodzakelijk zijn voor afschrikking en vrede."


MBDA eyes a long-range strike missile boom in Europe
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/07/15/mbda-eyes-a-long-range-strike-missile-boom-in-europe/

(vertaald naar het Nederlands vanuit het Engels)

De pan-Europese raketfabrikant MBDA positioneert zichzelf als de belangrijkste kandidaat voor de ontwikkeling van een Europese langeafstandsraket die de afschrikkingspositie van het continent moet verbeteren na de Russische inval in Oekraïne en de aanhoudende oorlog daar.

Oproepen voor een dergelijk wapen komen van het European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA)-initiatief, een Frans initiatief waar Duitsland, Polen en Italië vorige week tijdens de NAVO-top in Washington bij betrokken waren.

Met een beoogd bereik van meer dan 1.000 kilometer zou de raket in aanzienlijke aantallen voorzien in wat het Duitse ministerie van Defensie een "diepe precisieaanval" noemt, waar de NAVO naar streeft. Het multinationale initiatief zal "gezamenlijke ontwikkeling en inkoop" inhouden, volgens een online gepubliceerde verklaring van het Duitse ministerie van Defensie na een vergadering vorige maand van de Duitse, Franse en Poolse ministers van Defensie.

Hoewel MBDA niet zegt dat het bedrijf betrokken is bij de aanbesteding, hebben leidinggevenden wel een nieuwe raket onthuld die aan de eisen voldoet.

Het bedrijf presenteerde zijn Land Cruise Missile op de Eurosatory-defensiebeurs nabij Parijs in juni, en prees het systeem aan als een "unieke Europese soevereine oplossing" voor een landgebaseerde deep-strike-capaciteit met stealth- en terreinvolgende capaciteiten. De LCM is gebaseerd op de marinekruisraket die in gebruik is op Franse fregatten en aanvalsonderzeeërs, met een bereik van meer dan 1.000 kilometer.

De raketfabrikant verwelkomde de intentieverklaring die in Washington werd ondertekend voor een precisie deep-strike-capaciteit als "een nieuwe stap voor de Europese industrie" in een bericht op 12 juli op het sociale netwerk X, en zei dat het "ongeëvenaarde capaciteit" heeft in Europa om dergelijke capaciteiten te ontwikkelen. MBDA voegde toe dat het het enige bedrijf is dat de technologie, expertise en grensoverschrijdende partnerschappen heeft om in Europa ontworpen deep-strike-systemen te leveren.

Naast de Franse marinekruisraket produceert MBDA de Frans-Britse Scalp/Storm Shadow luchtgelanceerde kruisraket en de Duitse Taurus-raket, die een korter bereik hebben. Het bedrijf is met afstand de grootste Europese raketmaker, met een omzet van € 4,5 miljard in 2023 en een orderportefeuille van € 28 miljard eind vorig jaar.

De Franse overheid heeft MBDA herhaaldelijk aangehaald als een succesvol model voor Europese defensiesamenwerking. Het bedrijf is een pan-Europese joint venture tussen Airbus, het Britse BAE Systems en het Italiaanse Leonardo, en lokale eenheden in het Verenigd Koninkrijk, Frankrijk, Duitsland en Italië bieden de regeringen van die landen de mogelijkheid om een ��aantal nationale defensiebelangen te beschermen.

Ondertussen vertelde een woordvoerder van het Poolse Ministerie van Defensie aan Defense News dat Polen in gesprek is met zijn bondgenoten over de ontwikkeling van capaciteiten op alle operationele gebieden, waaronder langeafstandsaanvalsmogelijkheden.

[Sparkplug]

Van JASSM naar LRASM

F-35 Shown Carrying Stealthy Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles For The First Time

Work is now underway to integrate the low-observable AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on the F-35.

Thomas Newdick Posted on Sep 24, 2024 5:27 PM EDT


U.S. Navy/Dane Wiedmann

The Pentagon has, for the first time, released a photo showing an F-35 stealth fighter carrying an AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The stealthy standoff weapon, which is a derivative of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), will provide the F-35 with a powerful anti-surface warfare capability, something that will be especially important for a potential future high-end conflict in the Pacific against China.


U.S. Navy/Dane Wiedmann

The photo was published today by the U.S. Department of Defense and shows a test flight out of NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on September 10. A pair of LRASMs are seen on the inboard underwing pylons of a carrier-capable F-35C variant, assigned to the Pax River F-35 Integrated Test Force.

.../...

https://www.twz.com/air/f-35-shown-carrying-stealthy-long-range-anti-ship-missiles-for-first-time

[Harald]

- AGM-158B-2 JASSM-ER – "replaces obsolete components and provides a new electronic fuze, a new Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an upgraded Missile Control Unit (MCU), and enhanced software." (according to the U.S. Air Force's Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal); "Obsolescence upgrade; increased computing capability, C++ missile control software. Foundational system upgrade for follow on 158B-3 and 158D variants." (from a declassified Pentagon Modernized Selected Acquisition Report).

Nederland heeft de versie BB-2 aangeschaft voor onder onze F-35, totaal 120 stuks

The Netherlands – Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/netherlands-joint-air-surface-standoff-missiles-extended-range

Netherlands signs LoA to become fifth international customer for JASSM
https://euro-sd.com/2024/07/major-news/39669/dutch-sign-jassm-loa/#:~:text=The%20Netherlands%20thus%20becomes%20the,million)%20on%205%20February%202024.

[Harald]

Lockheed Martin Presents JASSM XR: An Extreme Range Cruise Missile.

On September 16, 2024, during the Air, Space & Cyber Conference of the Air & Space Forces Association, Lockheed Martin unveiled the latest version of its AGM-158 JASSM cruise missile, known as the JASSM XR (eXtreme Range). This new missile is designed to maintain stealth and precision strike capabilities while offering a range superior to the current JASSM-ER.



Until now, three versions existed: the AGM-158A JASSM, the baseline air-to-surface version; the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, the extended-range air-to-surface version; and the AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile), an anti-ship variant deployable in air-to-sea or sea-to-sea operations via Mk 41 VLS vertical launch cells.

The AGM-158 XR aims to push the boundaries of range even further. While technical details remain limited, Michael Rothstein, Vice President for Strategy and Requirements at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, stated, "I would say the range is significantly different. It's not minor. It's not on the edges." As a reminder, the U.S. Air Force reports that the JASSM-ER has a range exceeding 500 nautical miles, or more than 926 kilometers.

Jon Hill, Vice President and General Manager of Air Dominance and Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, explained that the JASSM XR is designed to be the next iteration of the JASSM-D and LRASM-C3, which are currently contracted with the Air Force and Navy. Hill emphasized that the XR leverages existing production lines and processes: "We think of the XR as an extreme-range missile. What it really does is extend the existing JASSM and LRASM family to allow us to carry more fuel, which gives us the range we need and the warfighters require."

The JASSM XR retains the same 1,000-pound (453.6 kg) warhead as the JASSM-ER. Structural changes were made based on the JASSM-ER and LRASM models. The missile is longer, allowing it to carry more fuel, thereby increasing its range. Other potential enhancements may include the use of lighter alloys, improved aerodynamics, a redesigned structure, modified fins, or a more efficient propulsion system. Rothstein confirmed that some physical modifications were necessary to enhance range, including lengthening the structure to accommodate more fuel. Despite these changes, the goal was to reuse as much technology and components from current missile production as possible.

Despite these modifications, the missile maintains its stealth and precision characteristics. The extended range allows launch crews to deploy the JASSM XR from a greater distance, enabling strikes on deeper targets while remaining out of reach of enemy air defense systems.

However, the increase in total missile weight prevents certain combat aircraft, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, from carrying it. In contrast, the F/A-18, likely in its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet version, is already compatible. The F-35 Lightning II is also expected to be compatible in the near future, along with the F-15 Eagle. While there is no specific information regarding strategic bombers, Lockheed Martin's presentation video frequently features the B-1B Lancer.

Additionally, the B-52H Stratofortress's ample carrying capacity should pose no issue, and the JASSM XR is likely to be integrated into the munitions bay of the B-2A Spirit and B-21 Raider stealth bombers of the U.S. Air Force.

Lockheed Martin also sought to optimize development costs by utilizing existing JASSM and LRASM production lines and designs. The missile's modular nature hints at the possibility of navalization or anti-ship use. While the LRASM can be launched from the Mk 41 VLS cells on U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers, it remains to be seen if the JASSM XR will also be integrated into these systems.

Questions remain about the potential launch capability from transport aircraft. The JASSM and JASSM-ER can be loaded onto a standard pallet structure known as the Rapid Dragon. Once the aircraft's bay opens, the pallet is ejected using a parachute, and the missiles initiate their engines during free fall. A heavier, larger missile might require adaptations to this system or the development of an "XR" version of Rapid Dragon.

The JASSM XR is not yet in service, with the first prototype flight planned for 2025 or 2026. No orders have been placed by the U.S. Air Force or Navy, and the entire development is funded by Lockheed Martin. Nonetheless, given its capabilities, this new missile could play a significant role in countering anti-access and area-denial systems, particularly those deployed by China in the South China Sea.

During the #AFA2024 conference, Jon Hill explained that the AGM-158 XR is being proactively developed to meet future U.S. requirements, succeeding the AGM-158D JASSM-ER and AGM-158C LRASM. Details remain limited, apart from the confirmation of an elongated fuselage. The fact that the JASSM XR cannot be carried by the F-16, due to its weight exceeding the F-16's internal station capacity of 4,500 pounds, underscores the missile's increased mass.

According to Rothstein, some engineering changes were implemented, involving minor but clever internal structural modifications to achieve the missile's elongation. "It's not just a matter of stretching," he added, "there are other structural changes that we will make to make this happen. But in the macro sense, these are not major modifications beyond the stretching."

Lockheed Martin plans to conduct a flight test with a prototype within the next 12 to 24 months, with initial operational capability anticipated in the coming years. The JASSM XR is the third proposed derivative of the JASSM to be named "JASSM-XR." The original proposal involved lengthening the fuselage from 4.2 to 6.3 meters, integrating an upgraded turbofan, and a larger warhead. If the current model retains the existing 450 kg WDU-42/B warhead, it could potentially achieve a range exceeding 2,000 km.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/lockheed-martin-presents-jassm-xr-an-extreme-range-cruise-missile

The Brand New AGM-158 Extended Range

Everything We Just Learned About The Supersized AGM-158 XR Stealth Cruise Missile

Lockheed's XR variant of the JASSM family of missiles is stretched to accommodate more fuel, giving it a range that should approach or exceed that of the Tomahawk.

Lockheed Martin has provided new details about their AGM-158 Extreme Range (XR) variant of the proven Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family of munitions. JASSM now underpins much of the USAF's deep strike capabilities and a growing portion of the Navy and Air Force's air-launched anti-ship capabilities via its sister, the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). We have known the XR version of this weapon has been in development for some time, but this is the first time we have seen it and have gotten official details about its configuration. This unveiling came at the Air Force Association's biggest gathering of the year — Air, Space & Cyber 2024 — outside of Washington, D.C., an event widely used for just this kind of official disclosures and product promotions.

John Hill, Lockheed Martin's general manager for air dominance and strike weapons said the following this morning about the AGM-158 XR:

"I would say that the '158 XR' really is a story of innovation and anticipating the needs of the warfighters. It leverages an existing production line, production processes... When we think of XR, think of that as extreme range. What it really does is it stretches the existing JASSM and LRASM family, that outer mold line, to give us more fuel, essentially, and that buys us the range that we need and that the warfighters need."

"It leverages modularity. So while we're in doing modifications, we're going digital. We're leveraging the existing mission planning structure along with the existing software architecture. And as you know, JASSM or LRASM benefit from inline upgrades and fixes as they come down the production line. So for me, being part of a production line where you can incorporate changes that the warfighters ask for in stride is a pretty powerful thing. So this weapon leverages all of those really great things, and it's a great option for the Air Force to consider for the future."

The XR clearly sports the familiar trapezoidal cross-section and low-observable shaping of the JASSM and LRASM, but this new variant is substantially larger via a stretched fuselage. The XR is a substantial leap in proportions compared to its predecessors, allowing it carry much more gas, as well as a sizable 1,000-pound-class warhead.

As it sits now, the land attack part of the AGM-158 family, which started service over two decades ago, is made up of the following:

- AGM-158A JASSM – baseline variant (no longer in production).
- AGM-158B JASSM-ER – baseline extended range variant.
- AGM-158B-2 JASSM-ER – "replaces obsolete components and provides a new electronic fuze, a new Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an upgraded Missile Control Unit (MCU), and enhanced software." (according to the U.S. Air Force's Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal); "Obsolescence upgrade; increased computing capability, C++ missile control software. Foundational system upgrade for follow on 158B-3 and 158D variants." (from a declassified Pentagon Modernized Selected Acquisition Report).
- AGM-158B-3 JASSM-ER – M-code GPS capability (still in development).
- AGM-158D JASSM-ER – "Weapon Data Link (WDL) capability to re-target the missile, post-launch, against relocatable or higher priority targets during mission execution." (again per the Air Force's proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget; still in development).

.../...

https://www.twz.com/air/everything-we-just-learned-about-the-supersized-agm-158-xr-stealth-cruise-missile