The JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is a conventional, stealthy, air-launched ground attack cruise missile designed for the U.S. Air Force and international partners. An extended range version, AGM-158B JASSM-ER, was developed alongside the standard variant, and went into service in 2014.¹

JASSM Development

The JASSM’s manufacturing and production started in 1998 and the Air Force certified it operational in 2003.² The JASSM-ER was first tested in 2006, and the first lot of missiles delivered to the USAF in March 2014.³

The JASSM employs a low-observable airframe designed to defeat various targets, including enemy air defenses. The missile’s low-profile airframe is particularly important given the proliferation of sophisticated air defenses such as the S-300 (and newer variants). The JASSM-ER will eventually incorporate a weapons data link (WDL) into the missile allowing for course corrections after launch.⁴ This is a critical upgrade for road-mobile and maritime targets.

In 2018, the USAF initiated development of a further extended variant designated the AGM-158D. Known as the JASSM-XR, or “Extreme Range,” it can range approximately 1,800 km. Deliveries are planned to start in January 2024.⁵

Specifications

The standard JASSM has a range of 370 km, whereas the JASSM-ER has a range of approximately 1,000 km. Their airframes are identical, so the weapons cannot be distinguished merely by appearance. The primary differences lie in a larger internal fuel tank, and a more efficient turbofan engine.⁶ The airframe itself can be described as angular, similar to the Taurus KEPD 350, although more rounded and fluid. When the missile is carried by aircraft, the fins and wings are folded, and then unfolded by small explosive charges after released.⁷

Both variants measure 4.26 m long, 0.55 m in diameter, 0.45 m in height, 2.7 m in extended wingspan, and 1,023 kg in launch weight. The JASSM carries a 432 kg class WDU-42/B penetration and blast fragmentation type warhead.⁸ The missile is powered by a turbojet engine, while the ER variant is powered by a turbofan engine.⁹ The missile is guided by INS/GPS unit developed for the JDAM and JSOW bombs, and also a IR seeker for terminal guidance. It also incorporates three-dimensional targeting models of the intended targets, of which eight can be stored in each missile. The Air Force indicates that the missile is accurate within 3 m CEP.¹⁰

The JASSM is fitted to the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52H Stratofortress, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16C/D, F/A-18C/D, and possibly later the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The B-1B and F-15E can also equip the upgraded JASSM-ER.

The B-1B is considered the starting point platform, capable of carrying up to 24 missiles.¹¹ The B-2 can carry up to 16 missiles and the B-52H can carry 12 internally on rotary launchers. Fighter aircraft can carry one missile under each wing, although in May 2021 the USAF loaded an F-15E with five JASSMs.¹² The F-35, if certified to carry the JASSM, would have to carry the weapon externally because the missile would not fit in the main internal weapons bay.¹³

Service History

The USAF has purchased over 2,000 JASSMs and plans to buy as many as 10,000.¹⁴ Outside of the United States, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, and Poland have deployed or are on contract to deploy JASSM.¹⁵

In June 2017, the United States deployed more than 10 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) to South Korea for use by U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters.¹⁶

In April 2018, the United States used JASSM in combat for the first time, targeting Syria’s Barzah Research Development Center, which manufactured chemical weapons for the Assad government. The strike included 19 JASSM-A missiles.¹⁷

In October 2019, the United States fired multiple JASSM-ER missiles against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s hideout, as part of a larger decapitation strike.¹⁸