Joint Air Ground Missile (JAGM)

The Joint Air Ground Missile (JAGM) program is a key line item in the Navy's Weapons Procurement budget, specifically under the Tactical Missiles sub-activity. The primary goal of the JAGM program is to provide advanced precision air-launched missile capabilities for rotary wing and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, with the AH-1Z serving as the Navy's threshold platform.

JAGM incorporates multi-mode seeker technology, enabling both Line-of-Sight and Beyond-Line-of-Sight targeting. This enhances lethality against a wide range of threats including stationary, moving, land, and maritime targets. The system is designed to operate effectively in adverse weather, day or night, and in environments with obscurants or countermeasures.

The JAGM program's objectives include replacing legacy missile systems such as the aviation-launched Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missile and the Helicopter-Launched Fire-&-Forget (HELLFIRE) Missile Systems. By fielding JAGM Increment 1, the Navy and Marine Corps aim to modernize their air-to-ground missile inventory, improving operational flexibility and survivability for aircrews.

The program supports both tactical and training needs, with missile configurations that include the JAGM Tactical Missile, Captive Air Training Missile (CATM), and Air Training Missile. These variants are complemented by trainers, containers, support equipment, and necessary software modifications to the M-299 launcher.

In FY 2026, the JAGM budget line supports the procurement of JAGM All Up Rounds (AURs) and CATMs, alongside production-related engineering and logistics support. The increased procurement quantity in FY 2026, compared to FY 2025, is justified by the need to support the overall ramp in JAGM production across the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) and to meet the fielding strategy for the AH-1Z. The CATM procurement also increases to address initial training requirements for the US Marine Corps. The program benefits from economies of scale, as higher quantities procured across the Department of Defense result in lower unit costs for both tactical and training missiles.

The JAGM All-Up-Round (AUR) is the main tactical missile procured under this line item. Its unit cost is projected annually by the Army, which leads the program, and fluctuates based on total procurement quantities across all services. The FY 2026 unit cost decrease reflects increased combined buying power. The AUR provides the core capability for operational missions, supporting both Navy and Army requirements for precision strike in complex environments. Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL, is the primary contractor, with production contracts awarded through a sole-source, fixed-price incentive or firm-fixed-price arrangement managed by the Army's contracting office in Huntsville.

The Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) is procured to support training and readiness objectives. The CATM allows aircrews to train with realistic missile profiles without live warheads, ensuring proficiency in targeting and launch procedures. The FY 2026 procurement of CATMs reflects an increase from previous years, aligning with expanded training requirements for the Marine Corps. Like the AUR, CATM unit costs benefit from increased procurement quantities across services, resulting in cost efficiencies.

Support costs within the JAGM line item include Integrated Logistics Support, Production Engineering Support, and Other Production Support. Integrated Logistics Support funding addresses the materials and activities required for the delivery and sustainment of Full Rate Production (FRP) weapons. Production Engineering Support covers engineering services necessary for production ramp-up and resolution of technical issues. Other Production Support, recently consolidated under a new cost element per a Memorandum of Agreement signed in April 2024, funds program management and administrative fees for executing JAGM production and deliveries. These support activities are essential for maintaining reliability, safety, and integration of the JAGM system into Navy and Marine Corps platforms.