Kraków 2022-10-25
Lockheed Martin AGM-158 A-6 (JASSM) missile.
Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.
The Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile is an American guided medium-range air-to-ground class guided missile. The missile is used to engage point targets beyond the enemy’s air defense range. The missile is maneuverable and has a reduced radar echo.
The JASSM program began in 1995 when the AGM-137 TSSAM (Tri Service Standoff Missile) program was canceled, which proved to be too expensive. Two companies entered the competition for the JASSM missile; Lockheed Martin (AGM-158) and McDonnell Douglas (AGM-159). In 1996, both companies received funding to build a missile mock-up and design work. In 1998, a Lockheed Martin missile was selected. In May 1999, tests began. In November 1999, tests with the missile engine began. The first full flight was made in January 2001, including a simulated target attack. In May 2001, a missile destroyed the target, which was a bunker. All tests were performed with the F-16 combat aircraft. In August 2001, the missile was tested with the US NAVY’s Boeing F / A-18E / F Super Hornet. The production of the pre-production series of missiles started in 2002. After resolving the childhood disadvantages, the AGM-158 missile was approved for use in October 2003. Lockheed Martin AGM-158 JASSM missiles can be carried by American aircraft: F-15 E, F-16, F / A-18, F-35, B-1 B, B-2, B-52.
In 2002, work began on a missile with a range increased to 1,000 km, which was designated AGM-158 B JASSM ER (Extended Range).
Lockheed Martin AGM-158 A-6 JASSM missiles for Poland.
In 2012, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Poland was interested in buying the AGM-158 JASSM missiles. The sale was approved by the US Congress and the Department of Defense. The agreement was signed on December 11, 2014 by the Chief of the Armament Inspectorate, General Sławomir Szczepaniak. Under the contract, Poland purchased 40 AGM-158 A JASSM missiles, two AGM-158 A training missiles and two more missiles that will be used for certification tests. The missiles are intended for the armament of the F-16 Jastrząb aircraft. In addition to the missiles themselves, transport containers, spare parts, technical documentation and the necessary software were provided, which were used to integrate the missiles with WSB Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft. The transaction cost is $ 250 million.
Data T-T AGM-158 JASSM:
Length 4.27 m. Wingspan 2.40 m. Weight 975.20 kg. Propelled Teledyne CAE J402-CA-100 jet engine, 3.0 kN thrust. Speed up to 900 km / h. Standard range 370 km. Inertial ING, GPS and thermal vision (infrared) guidance system. The warhead weighs 454 kg, type WDU-42 / B with AFX-757 explosive.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman