Lockheed Martin's JASSM Again Demonstrates Operational Effectiveness
Missile Ready For Independent Operational Test and Evaluation
ORLANDO, FL, April 5th, 2002 -- Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) demonstrated its operational capabilities yesterday by attacking a hardened bunker in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Other hardened bunker tests were performed last May and December, making this most recent test the last in the development series. JASSM will now enter the Independent Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) phase. Yesterday's test showed the missile's ability to penetrate the bunker structure and detonate as would be required in an actual engagement.
"JASSM has proven itself to be a highly effective weapon," said Col. Tim Moore, JASSM Joint Program Office program director based at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "We look forward to proceeding with IOT&E tests, then deployment. Yesterday's target template was created by the user and the mission included both development test and operational test participants in the control room. I believe that the IOT&E phase will further validate JASSM against difficult targets using real-world scenarios and CONOPS."
Currently in Low Rate Initial Production with first units available to the U.S. Air Force next year, JASSM is being produced at Lockheed Martin's advanced missile manufacturing facility in Troy, Ala.
"JASSM provides the Air Force with the ability to strike a wide variety of targets," said Larry Lawson, vice president of Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The bunker target in this test is typical of what JASSM will be used against in its first strike, first day of conflict role. We have also demonstrated success against small to large and hard to soft targets such as air defense sites. JASSM's precision and multi-purpose warhead provides the Air Force with unprecedented mission flexibility with one weapon."
JASSM is a 2,000-pound class weapon with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead. It cruises autonomously in adverse weather, day or night, using an anti-jam GPS navigation system and a state-of-the-art infrared seeker to find a specific aimpoint on the target. Its stealthy airframe makes it extremely difficult to defend against. The missile is planned for deployment on B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16, and F/A-18 aircraft and has a range of over 200 miles.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and integrates world-class air defense, fire support, strike weapon, naval munition, combat vision, anti-armor and advanced product solutions and systems for U.S. and international armed forces.
Nettie Johnson, 407-356-5351
e-mail nettie.r.johnson@lmco.com
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