Analysis | Lockheed Martin's new JASSM-XR and Mako missiles to redefine US Air Force's strike capabilities.

On September 16, 2024, Lockheed Martin introduced the JASSM-XR, an extended-range version of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family, at the Air, Space & Cyber 2024 event near Washington, D.C. Similar to the recently unveiled Mako hypersonic missile, the JASSM-XR is designed to enable the U.S. Air Force to conduct missions from greater distances while reducing development time and costs. Building on the existing JASSM-ER and LRASM platforms, the JASSM-XR aims to offer a low-risk, cost-effective solution for long-range strike capabilities.
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The AGM-158 XR retains the trapezoidal cross-section and low-observable design characteristic of the JASSM family, but is larger, allowing for additional fuel and a heavier warhead. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

There are notable similarities between the JASSM-XR, also known as the AGM-158 XR, and another missile recently unveiled by Lockheed Martin, the Mako hypersonic missile. Both missiles are designed to enable the U.S. Air Force to conduct missions from a safer distance and serve as a deterrent in various operational environments.

The AGM-158 XR, an extended-range version of the JASSM family, is projected to achieve a range comparable to or exceeding that of the Tomahawk missile, around 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers). In comparison, the Mako missile is intended for long-range operations and is capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 5. The AGM-158 XR focuses on extending the reach of air-launched munitions, while the Mako missile is designed for rapid strike capabilities due to its hypersonic speed.

Michael Rothstein, Vice President of Air Weapons and Sensors at Lockheed Martin, discussed the operational advantages of the AGM-158 XR, suggesting that its extended range could reduce the need for aerial refueling and increase the pace of air missions. The ability to strike from greater distances could potentially lessen the logistical requirements for refueling in certain operational scenarios, particularly in regions such as the Pacific.

Both the AGM-158 XR and the Mako missile use a modular design approach intended to increase adaptability, reduce development time and cost, and facilitate the integration of new technologies. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Both the AGM-158 XR and the Mako missile are intended to address anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) challenges, particularly in regions such as the Pacific. The AGM-158 XR is developed to provide long-range strike capabilities capable of penetrating heavily defended areas, while the Mako missile, developed under the Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) program, aims to counter A2/AD assets with a fast, multi-mission weapon system capable of maritime strike, counter-air defense, and various surface-attack operations.

Moreover, both missiles use a modular design approach intended to increase adaptability, reduce development time and cost, and facilitate the integration of new technologies. John Hill, the general manager for air dominance and strike weapons at Lockheed Martin, indicated that the AGM-158 XR benefits from existing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) production lines with only minor structural changes, such as modular upgrades and digital enhancements.

Similarly, the Mako missile features a modular design that allows for the integration of different mission-specific components like warheads and seekers. This design philosophy is aligned with the concept of open system architecture, aimed at enabling future upgrades and modifications while reducing development and production timelines, and supporting rapid deployment to the U.S. Army.

Lockheed Martin indicated that the AGM-158 XR benefits from existing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) production lines with only minor structural changes, such as modular upgrades and digital enhancements. (Picture source: US DoD)

The AGM-158 XR retains the trapezoidal cross-section and low-observable design characteristic of the JASSM family, which includes the AGM-158A JASSM, the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, and further developments like the AGM-158B-2 and AGM-158D JASSM-ER. These variants have incorporated various improvements, including updated electronic fuzes, advanced GPS receivers, upgraded missile control units, and enhanced software.

The AGM-158C LRASM, which is an anti-ship variant, includes technologies for engaging maritime threats in complex environments, such as an imaging infrared seeker and a networked data link to enable cooperative engagement. The AGM-158 XR differs from these variants by being larger, allowing for additional fuel and a warhead weighing approximately 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms), which could potentially provide a range of around 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers).

The AGM-158 XR is designed to be compatible with a broad range of platforms, a feature it shares with the Mako missile. According to Lockheed Martin, the AGM-158 XR can be deployed from any platform currently capable of carrying JASSM or LRASM, except the F-16. The company is also considering options for deploying the missile using cargo aircraft, such as those involved in the Rapid Dragon program, which could launch the missile from a greater standoff distance. There is also potential for developing ground-launched variants in the future.

Lockheed Martin has set a production target of 1,100 JASSM-XR missiles per year, with the capability to produce different variants based on demand. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Similarly, the Mako missile has undergone fit-checks for compatibility with multiple aircraft types, including the F-35, F-22, F-15, F-16, and others. It is designed to be compatible with standard 30-inch (76-centimeter) lugs, enabling it to be carried by most aircraft in the U.S. inventory and potentially launched from vertical launch systems on Navy warships when equipped with a booster.

At the unveiling, the AGM-158 XR was shown with a semi-gloss black coating, which, according to Lockheed Martin, is designed to reduce its visual signature. The missile's development, funded internally by Lockheed Martin, is expected to continue over the next few years, with flight tests anticipated. Lockheed Martin has set a production target of 1,100 missiles per year, with the capability to produce different variants based on demand.