US clears sale of 50 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER air-to-ground missiles for Japanese Air Force.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on August 28 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ER) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $104 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

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AGM-158 JASSM (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to fifty (50) AGM-158B/B-2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles with Extended Range (JASSM-ER). Also included are JASSM Anti-jam Global Positioning System Receivers (JAGR), training missiles, and missile containers; munitions support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair/return support; integration and test support and equipment; personnel training and equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $104 million.

The proposed sale will provide a stand-off capability via advanced, long-range strike systems for employment on Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter aircraft including but not limited to the F-15J.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Japan.

The AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is a low-detection standoff air-launched cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Armed Forces. It is a large, stealthy long-range weapon with a 1,000-pound (450 kg) armor-piercing warhead. It completed testing and entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2009, and has entered foreign service in Australia, Finland, and Poland as of 2014. An extended-range version of the missile, the AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range), entered service in 2014. By September 2016, Lockheed Martin had delivered 2,000 total JASSMs comprising both variants to the USAF.

AGM-158 JASSM (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)