The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin and Raytheon contracts totaling approximately $7.8 billion for the procurement of three types of precision-guided missiles under foreign military sales agreements with allied countries.
Lockheed’s $4.29-billion contract covers the production of Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) for Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, and Poland. Work is expected to be completed by January 31, 2033.
Meanwhile, Raytheon’s contract, valued at a maximum of $3.5 billion, provides for the production of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), AMRAAM telemetry systems, initial and field spares, and other engineering support activities.
It involves foreign military sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
Work is expected to be completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2031.
JASSM Missiles
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the AGM-158 JASSM is an air-to-surface cruise missile with a 1,000-pound (454-kilogram) penetrating blast fragmentation warhead used for neutralizing fixed and mobile ground targets.
The baseline variant travels at subsonic speed with a range of more than 230 miles (370 kilometers), while its extended range version can cover over 500 nautical miles (575 miles/925 kilometers).
The stealth missile can be launched from a variety of platforms, including B-1B and B-52 bombers, as well as the F-15E, F-16, and F/A-18 fighter aircraft.
LRASM Missiles
Also by Lockheed Martin and derived from the JASSM, AGM-158C LRASMs are anti-ship cruise missiles equipped with a 1,000-pound (454-kilogram) blast fragmentation warhead.
The subsonic and stealth missile can neutralize maritime targets at an approximate range of 200 nautical miles (230 miles/370 kilometers), and features semi-autonomous guidance for enhanced ability to find and strike targets independently after launch.
It is primarily launched from the B-1B and the F/A-18E/F, with ongoing integration efforts with the F-16 aircraft, F-35B/C, and the P-8.
AMRAAM Missiles
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a Raytheon-developed non-stealth air-to-air missile used in beyond-visual-range engagements against enemy aircraft.
It features an active radar seeker for “fire-and-forget” capability, allowing the launching platform to maneuver, engage other targets, or disengage from the fight.
AMRAAMs come in several variants: A, B, C, D, and the AMRAAM-ER (extended range), which is used in ground-based air defense.
All share roughly the same 40-pound (20-kilogram) blast fragmentation warhead and supersonic speed.
Several fighter jets, including the F-16, F-35, and Eurofighter Typhoon, can launch AMRAAM missiles.
