AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM)

The weapons of armed helicopters now adopt the long-arm principle, which is to attack outside the attack range of the opponent’s air defense weapons. This can effectively eliminate the target and protect ourselves. For example, the familiar AH-64 armed helicopter, which is launched by Haierfa, is airborne. The launch of anti-tank missiles can reach 8 kilometers, and now the range of small and medium-caliber antiaircraft artillery and portable air defense missiles is generally within 6 kilometers, so that the AH-64 can attack outside the opponent's range. During the Gulf War, the AH-64 relied on its advantage in range to severely damage the Iraqi armored forces.

There is a spear and a shield. For airborne anti-tank missiles, the former Soviet Union/Russia developed a Tunguska missile and artillery air defense system, which is equipped with air defense missiles that can attack up to 8 kilometers. Since then, Russia has developed more advanced The range of the anti-aircraft missiles equipped with the armored and artillery integrated air defense system has increased to 22 kilometers, which is almost three times the range of the HELLFIRE missiles. Therefore, armed helicopters such as the AH-64 have been difficult to deal with such missiles. For this purpose, the United States developed the JAGM missile, with a range of more than 20 kilometers, so that the helicopter can counter the armored air defense system.

The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) System provides an improved air-to-ground missile capability for rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. The JAGM is an aviation-launched, precision-guided munition for use against high-value stationary, moving and relocatable land and naval targets. JAGM utilizes a multimode seeker to provide precision point and fire-and-forget targeting day or night in adverse weather, battlefield obscured conditions, and against a variety of countermeasures. A multipurpose warhead provides lethal effects against a range of target types, from armored vehicles, thin-skinned vehicles and maritime patrol craft to urban structures and field fortifications. JAGM delivers the joint services a single air-to-ground missile with improved lethality, operational flexibility and a reduced logistics footprint.

Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) is an Army led program managed by PEO Missiles and Space, Joint Attack Munitions Systems (JAMS) Project Office with joint interest with the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and US Navy. JAGM provides an improved air-to-ground missile capability. It is a precision-guided munition for use against high value stationary, moving, and relocatable land and maritime targets. JAGM utilizes a multi-mode seeker to provide precision point and fire-and-forget targeting day or night in adverse weather, battlefield obscured conditions and against a variety of countermeasures. A multi-purpose warhead provides lethal effects against a range of target types, from armored vehicles, thin-skinned vehicles and maritime patrol craft to urban structures and field fortifications. JAGM delivers the Joint Services a single air-to-ground missile with improved lethality, operational flexibility, and a reduced logistics footprint. JAGM incorporates a guidance section capable of precision point targeting using a Semi Active Laser (SAL) sensor, fire and forget targeting using Millimeter Wave (MMW) radar, and a targeting capability that leverages both radar and laser targeting capabilities for maximum operational flexibility. JAGM leverages the fielded and combat proven HELLFIRE II Romeo (AGM-114R) propulsion, warhead and control sections. The JAGM system will be compatible with all joint rotary wing and fixed Wing aircraft that are compatible with the HELLFIRE II missile. JAGM is an air-to-surface missile that consists of a newly developed, dual-mode guidance section mated to a HELLFIRE Romeo missile bus (warhead, control actuator system, rocket motor, and associated electronics). The JAGM mission is to develop the next generation of aviation launched missiles to replace the HELLFIRE laser and Longbow radar missiles. JAGM will be used by joint service aircraft for destruction of high value stationary, moving and relocatable land and maritime targets from standoff range in day, night, adverse weather and obscured battlefield conditions.

The standoff capability of the JAGM System enables the weapon to place high-value, heavily defended targets at risk while the aircrews remain outside the range of lethal point and area defenses. A terminal guidance capability enables the platform to launch the weapon and depart the launch area to enhance aircraft survivability. The precision accuracy enables the JAGM System to place point, moving and fleeting targets and target elements within a target complex at risk, and reduces the probability of collateral damage. The threshold platforms for JAGM are the Army’s Apache AH-64D and the Marine Corps’ Super Cobra AH-1Z. Joint service Rotary Wing (RW), Fixed Wing (FW) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) will use JAGM for destruction of high value stationary, moving, and re-locatable land and naval targets from standoff range. JAGM is compatible with all joint force and allied RW and UAS that are currently compatible with the HELLFIRE II missile. JAGM uses advanced seeker and guidance technologies combining multiple sensors to provide improved Precision Point and Fire and Forget targeting for capability against fast moving and stationary targets in dirty battlefield/countermeasure intensive environments and adverse weather.

The JAGM prime contractor will conduct qualification of the production line and deliver missiles to support both Developmental and Operational Testing. The prime contractor will support government led activities to qualify the JAGM on the AH-64 Longbow Apache. FY 2015 Plans included procurement of EMD long lead items (HELLFIRE Backend) from backend contractor. The JAGM prime contractor will establish subcontracts, procure hardware and initiate production of the JAGM missile. The prime contractor will support airworthiness qualification of the JAGM missile on the AH-64 Longbow Apache. Under FY 2016 Plans the JAGM prime contractor continues to establish subcontracts, procure hardware and start production of the JAGM missile on a pilot production line. Contractor supports government led All Up Round (AUR) CDR, System Test Readiness Review (TRR) and Production Qualification Test (PQT). JAGM Product Office will complete System CDR by verifying prime contractor design compliance to all performance requirements including environmental conditions, missile and platform interfaces, reliability and cyber security.

In 2016 the JAGM Product Office will conduct warhead lethality testing, integrated flight simulations, captive carry testing and missile flight testing. The JAGM Product Office, platform product office and platform prime contractor will conduct aircraft qualification testing. Test data and interface requirements will support initial airworthiness qualification required for testing on the AH-64 Longbow Apache. The JAGM Product Office and Other Government Agencies will conduct warhead tests for lethality characterization and Live Fire Test and Evaluation (T&E) requirements; seeker performance through captive flight tests including countermeasures and hardware in the loop; Production Qualification Tests for environmental and Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3); ground launched missile flight tests; safety of flight tests and platform integration laboratory testing for airworthiness and interface verification; System Test Readiness Review; Apache flight tests with missile launches against threat targets including Live Fire T&E. The data will support the Full Material Release process. The JAGM Product Office will complete all documentation, conduct evaluations, reviews and analyses to support a FY 2017 MS C decision, Production Contract Award and contract options.

The JAGM EMD acquisition approach outlines the plan to qualify the All Up Round (AUR), qualify the production line, qualify JAGM on the U.S. Army AH-64 Apache and complete operational testing. Advanced Procurement of long lead items (HELLFIRE Romeo backends and Millimeter Wave (MMW) subsystems) occur in FY 2016. This long lead procurement is needed to facilitate FY 2017 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) 1 production timeline, which is necessary to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in FY 2018 and Full Rate Production (FRP) in FY 2019. The JAGM Product Office and Army Contracting Command (ACC) - Redstone Arsenal will conduct a full and open competition for the JAGM EMD phase.

The US Army Contracting Command, ACC, RSA issued RFP number W31P4Q-13-R-0006 for Continued Technology Development (CTD), of a Joint Attack Guided Missile (JAGM), Seeker/GEU. Issuance of RFP W31P4Q-13-R-0006 anticipates the award of a firm fixed price Research and Development (R&D), contract. The period of performance for this proposed JAGM Seeker/GEU CTD phase was anticipated to be 27 months after contract award. The Government planned to issue W31P4Q-13-R-0006 on or before 30 Sep 12 with a closing date of 30 Oct 12. This synopsis was issued as a notice of subcontracting opportunities only.

The US Army Contracting Command-Redstone (ACC-RSA) issued Request for Proposal (RFP) number W31P4Q-15-R-0005 in January 2015 for the purpose of formally soliciting proposals to fulfill the requirements for the Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) Engineering Manufacturing and Development and Options for Low Rate Initial Production. The JAGM EMD program will require a development effort in certain critical technologies/data that are not releasable to foreign firms. U.S. firms must possess a U.S. facility clearance with technologies / data safeguarding capabilities, inclusive of the authority to receive critical technology and / or data required to execute a JAGM program and subsequent product improvements. Any/all contractor teaming or license agreements between U.S. firms and foreign firms, to include employment of foreign nationals by U.S. firms, shall be in accordance with current U.S. export laws, security requirements, and national disclosure policy and shall require the prior approval of the contracting officer and foreign disclosure officer. The U.S. Government will provide foreign disclosure guidance to the U.S. firms, upon requests.

Lockheed Martin Corporation is the designer, developer, and manufacturer of the JAGM. LMC is the only known source that possesses the necessary knowledge, experience, and technical data required to fulfil the requirements specified. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Redstone (ACC-R) awarded a contract modification in April 2016 under contract W31P4Q-15-C-0102 to Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) for additional JAGM Missiles to support Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The contract modification will increase the current LRIP quantities from 1020 to 2631. It is anticipated that the JAGM contractor will be required to deliver an average of 1,300 units per year starting in fiscal year 2020. At a minimum, the JAGM AUR or an equivalent Air-to-Ground missile must meet the requirements established in the performance specifications and Interface Control Documents (ICDs).

In June 2016 the missile conducted its first successful test-firing from a UAV. "The missile has several modes and the missile successfully engaged the target without having to track and perfectly aimed the platform at that target," Col. James Romero, of the US Army’s Joint Attack Munition Systems said. The test, conducted at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, involved firing the JAGM from a Gray Eagle drone and striking a moving truck. Shot from a distance of approximately 8 kilometers at "nominal altitude," the missile struck a vehicle traveling at 20 mph. "So this missile is really flexible in that it allows the pilot to sometimes be engaged or track the target the entire time or to leave the engagement and let the missile finish its engagement on its own," Romero said. This was the seventh JAGM test, and while the missile had been fired from attack helicopters, this marked the first time it was fired from a UAV.

Additional tests were slated through 2017, and the Pentagon hoped the JAGM will service-ready by 2018. JAGM will be used by the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, with each planning to buy thousands, once the project reached completion.

The Army conducted a Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) IOT&E in conjunction with the Version 6 AH-64E Apache Attack helicopter FOT&E II in 3QFY19. The Marine Corps will conduct an additional IOT&E in 2QFY20 to assess performance with Marine Corps attack helicopters. JAGM meets the Key Performance Parameter for probability of hit and meets the inflight reliability requirement when launched from the AH-64E. AH-64E aircrews demonstrated effective employment of JAGM in force-on-force missions against realistic targets in the IOT&E. The AH-64E pilot vehicle interface enables efficient employment of all JAGM modes, giving aircrews increased effectiveness in degraded visibility, against threat countermeasures, against multiple targets, and against targets in realistic operational terrain. JAGM maintains the lethality of the legacy HELLFIRE Romeo against target-representative light and heavy-armored ground combat vehicles, trucks, and boats; personnel in the open; and behind brick over block and adobe walls while adding a fire and forget capability.

In preliminary testing to date, JAGM met hit performance and reliability requirements when launched by Version 4.5 and Version 6 AH-64E software. JAGM demonstrated performance requirements for probability of hit, even though many of the targets were obscured by countermeasures or dust. The IFS provided valid hit-point estimates for 49 pre-Milestone C shots. The validated IFS model confirms that JAGM maintains lethality of the HELLFIRE Romeo missile. JAGM demonstrated its inflight and overall reliability requirements with the live missile shots.

JAGM has been fired in all dual-seeker modes during early Army testing. JAGM destroyed targets aircrews would frequently bypass when armed with HELLFIRE due to tactical considerations. The fire-and-forget capability of the dual-seeking JAGM allowed aircrews the flexibility to engage air defense systems with minimal aircraft exposure. Battlefield obscurants did not reduce observed accuracy during JAGM engagements.

FY19 JAGM testing has demonstrated lethality against the up-armored T-72 and improved lethality against light-armored vehicles compared to past JAGM and HELLFIRE Romeo live fire tests using a new delayed fusing capability to delay warhead detonation until after missile penetration. Testing demonstrated improved lethality against personnel behind brick over block and adobe walls versus tests performed in FY18 by optimizing fuse delay timing, equaling HELLFIRE Romeo performance against these targets. The presence of nearby vehicles can increase the expected height of burst when attacking personnel in the open, a consideration that will be addressed in future testing and operational planning.