Joint Air-Surface Standoff Missile

The Joint Air-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program, as outlined in the FY 2026 Department of Defense (DoD) budget, is a major Air Force initiative under the Missile Procurement appropriation. Its primary goal is to provide the U.S. Air Force with a long-range, conventional, precision-guided, standoff cruise missile capability compatible with a variety of fighter and bomber aircraft. The program seeks to enhance the ability to strike fixed or relocatable targets from significant distances, thereby improving survivability and operational flexibility for U.S. forces.

The JASSM program is currently executing a Multiyear Procurement (MYP) strategy using the Large Lot Procurement (LLP) concept. This approach is designed to generate production efficiencies, stabilize the industrial base, and reduce unit costs by leveraging Economic Order Quantities (EOQ) and overlapping production lots. The MYP strategy also enables accelerated delivery and greater production capacity, supporting both current operational requirements and future force structure needs. The FY 2026 budget marks the third year of this MYP strategy, with funding allocated to fully procure the next production lot.

Within the JASSM family, several missile variants are addressed in this budget line item. The AGM-158B-2 variant replaces obsolete components and introduces a new electronic fuze, upgraded GPS receiver, improved Missile Control Unit, and enhanced software. The AGM-158B-3 variant adds GPS M-Code capability and a terminal sensor. The AGM-158D introduces Weapon Data Link (WDL) capability for post-launch retargeting against relocatable or higher priority targets. These enhancements are intended to maintain technological relevance and improve operational effectiveness against emerging threats.

Procurement objectives for FY 2026 include the acquisition of additional JASSM missiles, with funding to address obsolescence, reliability improvements, and production tooling. The budget also supports initial and replenishment spares, contractor logistics support, and qualification activities to preserve future production capabilities. The program addresses Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) through studies, bridge buys, and supplier/parts replacement, ensuring continued availability of critical components, especially those in short commercial supply.

Aircraft integration is a key objective, with JASSM variants already fielded on platforms such as the B-1, B-2, B-52H, F-15E, F-16 (Block 40-52), and F-35A. The program ensures that new missile builds are inserted into production lines as they become ready, without retrofitting previously delivered missiles. This approach streamlines logistics and maintains forward compatibility across the fleet. The program also funds test support, reliability assessments, and obsolescence management, which are increasingly important as the inventory grows and new variants are introduced.

From a contracting perspective, Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control (LMMFC) remains the sole prime contractor for JASSM production, following a competitive down-select process during the program's initial development phase. The LLP contract structure allows JASSM and LRASM missiles to be produced on the same assembly line, further enhancing production efficiency. The program's acquisition strategy is justified by the significant investment required to reach current production levels and the cost avoidance associated with not recompeting future quantities.