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Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

American air-launched cruise missiles AGM-158 JASSM will be included in the autumn package of military aid to Ukraine , Reuters reported 03 Septembe 2024. The news about the possibility of considering the transfer of these missiles to equip Ukrainian F-16 fighters appeared in mid-August, immediately after which a contract was announced between the US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin to increase the production of JASSM and LRASM missiles. The specific modification of the missiles is not reported, but it is likely that it will be the AGM-158A , the range of which is 370 km . Another important point is the possibility of converting Ukrainian Su-24M bombers into carriers of these missiles, by analogy with Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles.

Ukraine needed Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) missiles for F-16 fighters. Until the United States approves the transfer of these missiles to Ukraine, the F-16 will not be able to fully realize its potential, writes David Axe in Forbes 21 August 2023. ".... the missile that might make the most difference, the Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Strike Missile—a two-ton stealthy cruise missile with a 230-mile range—still is on Kyiv’s wish list. Unless and until the United States approves the JASSM for transfer to Ukraine, Ukrainian F-16s will fly short of their full potential."

Brynn Tannehill at RAND noted on May 31, 2023 "Britain provided Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles and Ukraine has already used them. Storm Shadow is broadly similar to the baseline version of JASSM in terms of size, range, employment, and observability, so providing JASSM would not constitute an escalation nor cross a Russian “red line.” F-16s likely will not grant Ukraine air superiority, but they will facilitate the defense of their air space. F-16s loaded with JASSM could be critical to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov's stated long-term plan to re-take Crimea “without a fight.” "

ERIN BANCO, PAUL McLEARY and JOE GOULD reported in Politico 15 August 2024, the Biden administration is “open” to providing Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles for use with F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY’s advisers and Ukrainian parliamentarians have been pressing Biden officials and lawmakers on Capitol Hill to send Kyiv long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles. And while no final decision has been made on sending the missile, a Biden administration official said it is working through the issues to send them to Kyiv.

Those issues, per the official, include reviews of the transfer of sensitive technologies, and ensuring Ukraine’s Soviet-era jets can launch the 2,400-pound missile that carries a 1,000-pound warhead. The Pentagon is already working with Ukraine on those technical issues, two officials said.

Restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Russia will remain in place, despite Ukrainian protests. But granting Ukraine access to the long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile would still be a major boost to Kyiv’s abilities to fire back at Russia, as the munition can strike at targets over 230 miles away. The F-16s jets donated this summer by European countries are not expected to fly close to Russian lines for fear of being shot down and having JASSMs in stock would remedy that limitation.

Lt. Gen. DAVID DEPTULA, the chief planner for the 1991 U.S. air war in Kuwait and Iraq, told NatSec Daily that the move is "better late than never, but like all their delayed deliveries and excessive deference to Putin’s rhetoric on escalation, they have caused this war to be drawn out and as a result given the Russians the gift of time.” “The more long range weapons the Ukrainians are provided with no constraints, the sooner they can force the Russians to a situation that favors Ukraine," he continued.

The aviation expert Valerii Romanenko, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine's YouTube channel, stated that the JASSM missiles, which the United States may provide to Ukraine for the F-16, could reach Moscow or destroy the Crimean bridge. According to Romanenko, JASSM differs from ATACMS. While ATACMS are ballistic missiles, JASSM are cruise missiles with a completely different design and principle of operation. He noted that JASSM is more similar to the British Storm Shadow missiles.

"JASSM missiles are an analog to the Storm Shadow. However, the F-16 cannot carry the Storm Shadow but can carry two JASSM missiles. They have similar components and the same warhead. But the JASSM has a longer range, reaching 370 km for the regular JASSM version and up to 900 km for the extended-range version," Romanenko explained. In his opinion, the U.S. may provide Ukraine with JASSM missiles of regular modification, as the Americans understand that "we are itching to strike Moscow or targets in Russia's rear."

Romanenko pointed out that JASSM missiles have systems similar to Storm Shadow, which minimally rely on satellite navigation. If the missile detects interference, it switches to terrain-following mode, comparing the landscape with a computer map to adjust its trajectory. He explained that ballistic missiles can use a purely inertial system, such as ATACMS, which doesn't have GPS. However, JASSM missiles need to hit a specific target, so they have a territory correction system. At the final stage, they have a terminal guidance system, allowing for accuracy within 3-5 meters. "If we receive them with a warhead similar to TAURUS or Storm Shadow, then the Crimean Bridge will be a likely target. But if we get them with a cluster warhead, then airfields in Crimea will see frequent explosions," the expert emphasized.

JASSM missiles are developed by Lockheed Martin, an American company also known for producing the F-35 fighters. The JASSM development program was launched in 1995 after the AGM-137 TSSAM project was canceled due to its high cost. The goal was to create a stealthy, long-range, high-precision missile capable of attacking without entering enemy air defense zones and at a much lower cost than TSSAM. In 2003, ground tests of the missile were completed. However, the first flight tests failed due to problems with the engine and launch device.

The missile was finally approved for military use on B-52 aircraft in October 2003. It was later integrated into strike aircraft like the F-16 and F-35. These missiles are available to a limited number of U.S. allies, including Poland, Australia, and Finland. However, Japan and the Netherlands have signed contracts for JASSM purchases, and Germany, Greece, Romania, and Denmark are also in negotiations.