Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace recently announced a cooperation with the US Air Force (-> current news about the US armed forces). As part of the cooperation, Kongsberg will supply Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) to the US Air Force.
This was made possible by a contract amendment to a preliminary contract signed in June 2024 at a fixed price worth 67 million euros. The JSMs will be developed and produced at Kongsberg’s headquarters in Norway. Production should be completed by 2027.
Delivery of the missiles is expected to begin in 2026. The JSMs – a fifth-generation weapon – have been specially developed for integration into the F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. There, the missiles can be accommodated in the internal weapons bay, which ensures compatibility with the stealth configuration of the fighter aircraft. In addition, the missile offers precision strike capability, operational flexibility and a low radar cross-section, allowing it to operate effectively in contested environments. The ability to engage both land and sea targets “underlines its versatility in handling different mission profiles”, according to Kongsberg.
The JSM has an operational range of more than 275 kilometers and is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems, including GPS, inertial navigation systems (INS) and terrain-adapted guidance. The 416-kilogram missile has advanced mission planning capabilities. These capabilities enable pre-launch and in-flight adjustments to adapt to the dynamic conditions on the battlefield. In addition, the missile’s 130-kilogram warhead is optimized for precise targeting to minimize collateral damage.
Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, said of the US contract: “We are pleased to welcome the US Air Force to the JSM user group, and we look forward to continuing to support US defense capabilities with our missiles.”
The US Air Force thus joins a growing list of countries that are procuring or have procured the JSM. These include Norway, some NATO-states and other nations.
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