A development of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) will feature an option for ground strike and a two-way communications line, so that the missile can communicate with the central control room or other missiles in the air. This missile will be integrated with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Studies have shown that the F-35 would be able to carry two of these in its internal bays, while four additional missiles could be carried externally.
Lockheed Martin and Kongsberg signed a joint-marketing agreement for this air-launched version of the NSM, as well as an agreement committing both parties to integrating the JSM on the F-35 platform.[3][4] The project is funded by Norway and Australia.[5] Kongsberg signed a contract for the first phase of development of the JSM in April, 2009, which is scheduled for completion within 18 months.[6] The JSM will have multicore computers running the Integrity real-time operating system from Green Hills Software.[7]
Compared with the Naval Strike Missile, the Joint Strike Missile features:
Form factor altered to allow the missile to fit into the F-35's internal bays[9]
The ability to attack sea and land targets
Compatibility with various aircraft as launch platforms
Improved range: estimates include 150 nmi (170 mi; 280 km)[9] to more than 100 nmi low-low or more than 300 nmi (350 mi; 560 km) hi-low flight profiles[10]
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Kongsberg were studying methods to deploy the JSM from Norway's submarines,[14] and found shaping the missile to fit into the F-35's confined bomb-bay also enabled it to fit in the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System. A VL-JSM could also compete with the Lockheed LRASM for the U.S. Navy's OASuW Increment 2 for a ship-launched anti-ship missile.[15]
On 15 July 2014, Kongsberg and Raytheon announced that they had formed a teaming agreement to offer the JSM to the United States Navy for their Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) requirement;[16] Raytheon would produce JSMs for the American market.[17] A teaming agreement is an interim agreement between partners which commits them to their roles during the development and marketing stage of a project. It would generally be transformed into a formal sub-contracting agreement once an order for delivery has been placed.[18]
The Navy plans to begin a competition for the OASuW requirement in 2017, which will likely pit the Kongsberg/Raytheon JSM against the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM.[19]
The Royal Norwegian Air Force ordered JSM to their fleet of F-35 fighters in October 2021. Expected delivery to be in 2023.[20][21] Integration of the JSM with the F-35, and testing in the United States is facilitated by Lone Star Analysis, under long term contract with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.[22]
In March 2019, Kongsberg was awarded a contract to supply the Japan Air Self-Defense Force with initial deliveries of the joint strike missile.[23] The missiles are expected to arrive in April 2021.[24]
Australia expressed interest in buying the JSM in June 2014 to equip their F-35 fighters. The 2023 Defence Strategic Review, recommended the Joint Strike Missile be integrated into Australia's F-35A's.[28][29] The missile has also been pitched to South Korea and Japan, and Kongsberg is expected to attempt to make sales to other countries that have ordered the F-35A. The JSM is expected to become fully operational in 2025.[30] Development is aimed to be completed in 2017 and achievement of initial operational capability (IOC) is expected in 2021 with the release of the F-35's Block 4 software. Fit checks have been performed on the external hardpoints of all F-35 variants, and internally on the F-35A and C-models. Countries that operate other aircraft have expressed interest in the JSM, and fit checks have also been performed on the F-15E Strike Eagle and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but integration on other platforms will not be conducted without a confirmed customer.[31]
On 15 September 2015 the Australian government signed an agreement to finance the development of a passive radio frequency seeker to complement the existing infrared target seeker.[32]
The 2023 Australian Defence Strategic Review (DSR) recommended that the RAAF acquire JSM for its F-35As and F/A-18F Super Hornets. The Albanese government agreed "in principle" to the recommendation.[33]