Latest news with #JointAir-to-SurfaceStandoffMissile
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
AIM-120 missile demand is surging. The Pentagon just signed a $3.5 billion deal to keep up.
The Pentagon just inked a record $3.5 billion deal with RTX for AIM-120 air-to-air missiles. It's a massive order that underscores how global conflicts are stressing stockpiles and dramatically increasing demand for key munitions. Demand for the AMRAAM has been growing amid global crises like the war in Ukraine and fights in the Middle East. The massive deal, which was part of a total $7.8 billion awarded to Lockheed Martin and RTX for missile production, was signed late last month. Other systems in the contracts include Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, award was especially notable, not only for its size but the number of allies and partners that will receive the missile. The Foreign Military Sales portion of the massive contract includes Japan, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Ukraine, RTX told Business Insider. The Department of Defense contract details identified sales to 19 allies and partners. It also comes less than a year after a $1.2 billion contract for the AMRAAM, another record-breaking deal that followed a $1.15 billion deal in 2023. These three deals point to a demand to refill and expand stockpiles. "As global conflicts intensify and air threats become more sophisticated, AMRAAM continues to give allied forces a decisive edge in combat," said Sam Deneke, the president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, said in a statement. The AIM-120 has seen use in Ukraine, with both Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets and Norway's Kongsberg Defense and Raytheon's National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). The AMRAAM has also seen use in the Middle East by the US planes battling the Houthis and other threats. These conflicts pull from US and allied stockpiles. The weapon is an all-weather, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with active radar for decreased dependence on the aircraft for intercepts. There are multiple variants of the AIM-120. The newest one is the AIM-120D, which has a reported range exceeding 100 miles. It's highly useful for taking out air threats like uncrewed aerial vehicles and drones, but it's also an expensive tradeoff, with each AIM-120 costing around $1 million. The US has pursued alternatives to taking out these threats, and military officials have acknowledged that the need for more cost-effective answers. Part of the demand for the AIM-120 is that it's a highly desired system by militaries around the world. It is an essential weapon as countries consider air dominance and defense demands in modern warfighting. Despite many other investments in air-to-air systems, "the AIM-120 AMRAAM series remains and likely will remain the backbone of Western and Western-aligned air-to-air weaponry for many years to come," Justin Bronk, an airpower expert at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, told Business Insider. RTX highlighted that the AMRAAM is used on 14 different platforms, including fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems, in 44 countries and is combat-proven. Global usage of the missile, Bronk said, has far outpaced production, making the new contract not only important for filling stockpiles but also increasing production capacity. Decades of steady usage have left stockpiles thin, with lawmakers in Washington expressing concern about existing stocks. Among other efforts to boost the numbers, the US and Japan are now considering co-production of the AIM-120 to help close the gap.
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Pentagon's "Biggest Order For AMRAAMS" As Wars in Ukraine, Middle East Drain Missile Stockpile
The USAF has issued contracts collectively worth roughly $7.8 billion to boost the Pentagon's stockpile of air-to-air, air-to-ground, and ship-killing munitionsThe largest award of nearly $4.3 billion went to Lockheed Martin for production of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)The contract also includes foreign military sales for Finland, Japan, the Netherlands and Poland n18oc_world n18oc_crux
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
What are JASSM missiles and why the US keeps using them in modern conflicts
If you've been following news about U.S. airstrikes lately, you've probably heard a lot about something called the JASSM missile . It sounds technical, but at its core, it's simply a highly advanced cruise missile — and one the U.S. military trusts for some of its most sensitive missions. JASSM stands for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile . The name says a lot. These missiles are designed to hit targets from far away, keeping American pilots out of danger zones. They're stealthy, precise, and hard for enemy defenses to detect. In simple terms, they allow the U.S. to strike deep inside enemy territory without putting boots on the ground or risking aircraft flying directly over hostile areas. These aren't new weapons. The U.S. military has been using versions of the JASSM for over two decades, steadily updating them as technology evolves. Today's latest versions can travel more than 500 miles , skimming low under radar and delivering pinpoint strikes against heavily defended targets like bunkers, radar stations, and key infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank-Repossessed Cars in the Philippines at Bargain Prices! SUV Deals | Search Ads Search Now Undo Why are they so common in headlines now? Because modern conflicts increasingly require this kind of precision strike — hitting hard, hitting fast, and doing it from a safe distance. Whether it's a retaliatory strike in the Middle East or a show of strength in Eastern Europe, the JASSM is often the weapon of choice because it minimizes risk while maximizing impact. At a time when military planners are trying to avoid drawn-out conflicts and protect their forces, missiles like the JASSM fit perfectly into today's strategies. They're a reminder that wars are no longer fought just with troops on the ground, but with technology designed to reach enemies long before soldiers ever do.
Yemen Online
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yemen Online
U.S. missiles may leave Asia vulnerable in Yemen campaign push
The military commanders and congressional staffers briefed by the Pentagon revealed a growing concern that could reshape America's defense posture across two critical regions. According to a report by The New York Times, officials from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command [INDOPACOM] are increasingly worried that the Pentagon may soon need to shift precision-guided, long-range weapons from Asia to the Middle East. This potential transfer stems from an ongoing campaign by U.S. Central Command [CENTCOM] against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in western Yemen, a conflict that has already consumed substantial munitions and resources in its first month alone. The strategic dilemma is stark: with limited stockpiles and rising tensions in both theaters, the United States faces tough choices about where to prioritize its military might at a time when global adversaries are watching closely. The campaign against the Houthis, which intensified in mid-March, has already cost the Pentagon upwards of $200 million in munitions, with total operational expenses potentially nearing $1 billion when factoring in personnel and deployment costs, as reported by CNN on April 4, 2025. This rapid expenditure is driven by the need to counter Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, a vital artery for global trade, and to protect U.S. and allied interests in the Middle East. Yet, the operation's demands are pulling resources away from Asia, where INDOPACOM planners argue that these same weapons are essential to deter an increasingly assertive China. The tension underscores a broader challenge for the U.S. military: maintaining readiness across multiple fronts with finite assets. At the heart of this issue are the specific weapon systems in question, which represent some of the most advanced and effective tools in the U.S. arsenal. Among those likely being considered for transfer are the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile [JASSM] and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile [TLAM], both of which have been pivotal in the Yemen campaign. The JASSM, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a stealthy, precision-guided cruise missile designed to strike high-value targets from beyond enemy air defenses. With a range exceeding 230 miles in its baseline version and over 500 miles in its extended-range variant [JASSM-ER], it allows aircraft like the B-2 Spirit or F-15E Strike Eagle to engage targets without entering contested airspace. Its 1,000-pound warhead, equipped with a penetrating capability, makes it ideal for destroying fortified bunkers or command centers—targets that align with CENTCOM's efforts to degrade Houthi infrastructure. The Tomahawk, a mainstay of U.S. naval power since its introduction in the 1980s, offers even greater reach, with a range of approximately 1,500 miles in its Block IV configuration. Launched from ships or submarines, this missile can loiter over a battlefield, adjust its course mid-flight, and strike with pinpoint accuracy thanks to its GPS and inertial navigation systems. Its versatility has made it a go-to weapon for operations like the Yemen strikes, where naval assets in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden have been heavily engaged. CNN reported that both JASSMs and Tomahawks have been expended in significant numbers against the Houthis, targeting missile launchers, drone facilities, and underground storage sites. Yet, these systems are equally critical in the Indo-Pacific, where their long range and precision would be vital in any potential conflict with China, particularly around flashpoints like Taiwan or the South China Sea. Another system potentially in play is the Joint Direct Attack Munition [JDAM], a GPS-guided kit that transforms unguided bombs into smart munitions. While less glamorous than the JASSM or Tomahawk, JDAMs are a workhorse of modern air campaigns, offering ranges up to 15 miles when dropped from high altitudes and costing significantly less than cruise missiles—around $25,000 per unit compared to over $1 million for a Tomahawk. Their widespread use in Yemen, likely against mobile Houthi targets or coastal defenses, highlights their logistical importance. However, their depletion in Asia could limit the U.S. Air Force's ability to sustain operations against a peer adversary like China, where mass precision strikes would be essential. The technological and logistical strain of this dual-front challenge is compounded by production realities. The U.S. defense industrial base, while robust, struggles to keep pace with wartime consumption rates.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lockheed Martin completes F35B's flight tests with new long-range missiles
(Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday it completed an initial flight test integrating a long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM) weapon system onto the F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet. The upgrade will allow the F-35 fighter jet to carry Lockheed's AGM-158 strike systems - the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). 'Integration of the AGM-158 strike systems family delivers increased reach and lethality against heavily protected, strategic targets,' Jon Hill, vice president, Air Dominance and Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The test, conducted in collaboration with the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force, marked the inaugural flight of the F-35B with advanced weapons. The F-35 program contributes about 30% of the company's revenue. However, it has been facing delays in rolling out a technology upgrade known as Technology Refresh 3, which aims to improve the jet's displays and processing power.
