Joint Strike Missile

The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) Program is a key Air Force initiative under budget line item JSM000, designed to provide a near-term solution for long-range precision strike capabilities against both maritime and land targets in highly contested environments. The primary goal of the program is to enhance platform survivability by enabling standoff engagement, particularly in GPS-denied and advanced threat environments. The JSM is specifically engineered for internal carriage within the F-35A weapons bay, supporting stealth operations and expanding mission flexibility for the Air Force.

Developed by Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA), the JSM has completed its initial development phase. The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has funded ongoing F-35A test and integration efforts, which the U.S. Air Force (USAF) will leverage to accelerate its own fielding timeline and gain confidence in the missile's performance. USAF-specific objectives include additional service-specific testing, regression, and qualification activities, as well as ensuring compliance with cybersecurity requirements. These efforts are essential to support full operational test and evaluation (OT&E), projected to begin in May 2026, contingent on the completion of F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and RNoAF developmental testing.

The JSM procurement funding encompasses the entire weapon system, addressing critical needs such as obsolescence resolution, end-of-life and bridge buys, test assets, simulators, COMSEC components, GPS receivers, and supplier/parts replacement. The program also targets the replacement of electronic components that are commercially used and in short supply, and supports qualification activities to preserve and expand future production capabilities. Engineering and technical support funding is allocated to produce, test, modify, and field the JSM, as well as to support mission planning activities and address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the JSM program requests funding for procurement in the INDOPACOM region and for munitions and supply chain needs. This funding will procure a combined quantity of missiles, divided between these two strategic priorities. The budget line also supports compliance with Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D, which mandates a full financial audit of the program. The procurement strategy utilizes buy-to-budget authority under Title 10, U.S. Code Section 2308, allowing the Air Force to maximize the quantity purchased each fiscal year based on negotiated pricing and available funds.

The recurring cost element for the JSM includes the All Up Round (AUR) component, with ancillary equipment such as containers and loading cradles, and support end items including government and contractor services. Funding also covers test and integration activities, cybersecurity compliance, and engineering support, which are critical for meeting Air Force-specific operational requirements and maintaining the integrity of the weapon system.

Production and delivery schedules indicate that the Air Force will receive missiles in FY 2024 and FY 2025, with deliveries staggered across multiple lots to optimize manufacturing and fielding timelines. The program relies on international collaboration, particularly with Norway, to expedite integration and testing, and aims to achieve an inventory objective through efficient procurement practices. The JSM program is structured to adapt to evolving operational needs, supply chain constraints, and technological advancements, ensuring sustained capability for precision strike missions.