Lockheed Martin has achieved operational capability on its ‘Joint Air-to-Surface Missile (JASSM) – Extended Range (ER)’, having integrated it with the F-15E Strike Eagle – a mainstay of US and allied air forces.
Integration of the Suite 8 Operational Flight Programme means that the F-15E Strike Eagle is now the first Universal Armament Interface (UAI) compliant platform to field JASSM-ER. UAI compliant aircraft feature standardized interfaces with a view to enhancing future weapon integration.
“Fielding on the F-15E Strike Eagle expands JASSM-ER’s mission flexibility,” said Jeffrey Foley, Programme Director of Long-Range Strike Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “With its greater than 500 nautical-mile standoff range and planned block upgrades currently in work, JASSM-ER provides an impressive tactical advantage for US and allied warfighters.”
Crucially, JASSM-ER and JASSM can be used in all weather conditions. They share the same capabilities and stealth characteristics, though JASSM-ER boasts more than two-and-a-half times the range of JASSM meaning greater standoff distance. These highly accurate cruise missiles also employ an infrared seeker and enhanced digital anti-jam GPS to dial into specific points on targets.
Baseline JASSM was the first missile to be integrated onto a UAI platform. The US Air Force’s Seek Eagle Office led the F-15E Strike Eagle JASSM-ER and JASSM integration.
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