USAF selects Kongsberg joint strike missiles for F-35A
The United States Air Force (USAF) has signed a Undefinitised Contract Action (UCA) with Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace for the delivery of Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for their F-35A fighter…
The United States Air Force (USAF) has signed a Undefinitised Contract Action (UCA) with Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace for the delivery of Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for their F-35A fighter aircraft. The contract is worth $161 billion and will be completed by August 2026.
The air-launched JSM, designed to fit into the F-35A’s internal weapons bay, is intended to “fulfil complex missions such as anti-surface warfare and land attack,” explains its manufacturer. The JSM has an off-board, on-board and in-flight mission planning capability and can engage targets according to a pre-defined set of Rules of Engagement.
“The selection of JSMs by both the USA and Royal Norwegian Air Force also fully supports NATO’s vision for interchangeability of equipment between allied nations,” elaborated Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace.
As detailed in the US Defence Logistics Agency’s contract list (dated 31 May 2024), the contract (worth $141bn) for the JSM production Lot 1 “provides for all up rounds, containers, and test equipment for the Joint Strike Missile”. Work will be performed in Kongsberg, Norway, and is expected to be completed by the end of August 2026.
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