The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a next-generation air-launched cruise missile developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Norway's leading defense contractor, in collaboration with Raytheon Missiles & Defense in the United States. The missile is based on the proven technology of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and has been adapted specifically for internal carriage within the weapons bays of fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II.
Country users: Australia, Finland, Japan, Norway, United States
Technical Data
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Design
The JSM (Joint Strike Missile) features a stealth-optimized airframe, primarily constructed from radar-absorbent composite materials, to minimize its radar cross-section. Its physical dimensions are specifically tailored to allow internal carriage within the F-35A and F-35C variants, measuring approximately 4.0 m in length, with a stowed width of 0.48 m and a height of 0.52 m. The missile weighs approximately 416 kg. Upon release, the missile deploys folding wings and tail control surfaces to enhance aerodynamic stability and provide the agility necessary for evasive maneuvers during flight. Designed for survivability, the JSM can fly at extremely low sea-skimming altitudes or follow terrain contours, presenting a very low radar signature and maximizing the likelihood of successful penetration of defended areas.
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Warhead
The Joint Strike Missile is equipped with a dual-effect warhead weighing approximately 120 kilograms. This warhead is designed to deliver both blast-fragmentation effects against soft and semi-hardened targets and penetrative effects against fortified structures. The programmable fuze system allows for flexible detonation modes, including impact and delayed activation settings, which optimize the warhead’s destructive potential depending on the target type. The warhead’s design balances maximum lethality with the requirement to minimize collateral damage, ensuring compatibility with modern rules of engagement.
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Mobility
Propulsion for the Joint Strike Missile is provided by a Williams International F-415 small turbofan engine, enabling high subsonic cruise speeds near Mach 0.9. At launch, the missile is boosted by a solid-fuel rocket motor that detaches after burnout. The missile's operational range depends on flight profile and environmental conditions. Under typical conditions, it exceeds 300 km, but using a high-high-low flight trajectory, the range can extend beyond 555 km. In a full low-altitude flight profile, the range remains around 185 km. This propulsion and flight performance combination allows the JSM to engage targets at significant distances while maintaining stealthy approaches.
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Guidance Systems
The Joint Strike Missile integrates a comprehensive multi-mode guidance system designed for precision engagement across complex environments. Midcourse navigation is handled by an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS), providing high-accuracy positioning. During the terminal phase, the missile transitions to an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker capable of automatic target recognition (ATR), allowing the missile to autonomously identify, classify, and engage specific targets based on stored target imagery. The JSM also features passive RF homing capabilities for attacking radar-emitting threats. A two-way data link provides real-time inflight updates, mission retasking, and engagement confirmation, allowing dynamic adaptability even during flight. These features together ensure high survivability and precision in challenging, GPS-denied, or contested electronic warfare environments.
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Combat Use
In combat operations, the Joint Strike Missile provides a highly survivable and flexible long-range strike capability for modern fighter aircraft. After launch, the missile can conduct terrain-following or super sea-skimming flight profiles, significantly reducing its detectability by enemy sensors. Upon approaching the target area, the missile can autonomously identify and engage the designated aimpoint, executing evasive terminal maneuvers to counter active defenses. The selectable end-game flight profiles and extremely precise timing options enhance mission success, allowing coordinated multi-missile attacks or synchronized strikes in complex operational scenarios. Its low observability, passive guidance, and dynamic targeting capabilities make the JSM ideal for engaging high-value maritime targets, hardened coastal installations, mobile air defense systems, and fortified land targets in heavily defended zones.
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