Next Gen Cruise Missile

The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) is an autonomous, long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile. JASSM is designed to destroy high-value, well defended, fixed and relocatable targets. JASSM's significant standoff range keeps Air Force and Navy aircrews well out of danger from hostile air defense systems. The missile's mission effectiveness approaches single-missile target kill capability. With this superior performance and affordable price, JASSM offers the best value of any weapon in its class. The AGM-158A is powered by a Teledyne CAE J402 turbojet. Whilst carried the wings are folded to reduce size, flipping out on launch. There is a single vertical tail. Guidance is via inertial navigation with updating from a global positioning system. Target recognition and terminal homing is via an imaging infrared seeker. A data link allows the missile to transmit its location and status during flight, allowing improved bomb damage assessment. Accuracy is extremely good, with a CEP reported at 2.4 metres (8 feet). The warhead is a WDU-42/B 450 kg (1000 lb)penetrator. An upgraded version, the JASSM-ER has a new Williams F107-WR-105 turbofan engine for significantly increased range of up to 1000 km (600 miles). The JASSM-ER was officially designated as AGM-158B in mid-2002, and the USAF awarded an SDD (System Development and Demonstration) contract for the AGM-158B in February 2004.