Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM)

The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program, as outlined in Program Element (PE) 0605450M, is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative under Budget Activity 5: System Development & Demonstration (SDD). The primary goal of this program is to develop and integrate advanced air-launched missile capabilities that leverage dual-mode seeker technology, enabling both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight targeting. The JAGM system is designed to replace legacy systems such as the TOW and HELLFIRE missiles. It provides enhanced precision, lethality, and operational flexibility against a wide range of stationary and moving land and maritime targets, even in adverse weather and countermeasure environments.

Project 2211: Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) supports the continued development, integration, and fielding of the JAGM Increment 1 system. This project is an Army-led joint program, with the Navy responsible for integration on the AH-1Z platform, the Department of Navy's threshold platform for JAGM. Objectives include software correction of deficiencies, safety risk mitigation through testing, engineering and logistics support, and ongoing feasibility studies for future upgrades, including fixed-wing compatibility. The Navy's efforts also encompass modifications to the M-299 launcher, development of trainers and support equipment, and integration of JAGM into the Navy's Integrated Fire Control (IFC) architecture to address advanced threats in Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2AD) environments.

Project 1110: Precision Attack Strike Munition (PASM) is the follow-on to the Long Range Attack Munition (LRAM) Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) and represents a new program of record for the Navy. PASM aims to deliver a network-enabled, longer-range precision strike weapon that can engage both maritime and land-based targets. The program builds on prior subsystem maturation and demonstration efforts. It is designed with a Weapons Open System Architecture (WOSA) for payload flexibility and logistics simplification. PASM's objectives for FY 2026 include finalizing product and warhead design, manufacturing initial prototype assets, conducting design reviews, and initiating platform and launcher integration and modifications.

The PASM program also includes significant investments in test and evaluation activities. FY 2026 funding supports Modeling and Simulation (M&S), component-level testing, ground and captive carry flight testing, and the start of Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E). These efforts are intended to validate system performance and support the transition to Early Operational Capability (EOC). Additional resources are allocated for program management, integrated logistics support, and the initial development of training materials to facilitate fielding and sustainment.

The acquisition strategy for PASM utilizes a rapid prototyping Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) approach, leveraging Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contracts to accelerate the development and fielding of prototype units. This strategy is intended to demonstrate new capabilities quickly and, if successful, enable rapid transition to production with proven technologies. The FY 2026 budget request for PASM reflects increased emphasis on engineering, manufacturing, developmental testing, and prototype procurement.

For JAGM, the Navy's FY 2026 efforts are focused on supporting ongoing software corrections, integration activities, and continued validation testing on the AH-1Z platform. The program is managed as an ACAT-1C Joint Army/Navy Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP), with Lockheed Martin as the primary contractor for the guidance section and integration with the HELLFIRE-R missile components. The Navy's responsibilities include platform integration, logistics, and support for operational testing, with the goal of maintaining interoperability and meeting joint service requirements.