Lockheed Martin is enhancing the deep strike capability of its renowned AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) with the introduction of a new extreme range variant.
Named the AGM-158 XR, the weapon appears to be substantially larger than its predecessors, enabling it to carry more fuel and a potential 1,000-pound (453-kilogram) armor-piercing warhead.
It also reportedly incorporates “smart” internal modifications to increase modularity and facilitate future upgrades.
While its exact strike range has not been disclosed, a Lockheed spokesperson indicated that the AGM-158 XR could exceed other JASSM and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) variants.
It also maintains compatibility with F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets.
Once operational, the weapon is expected to bolster the lethality of military units and increase pilot survivability by enabling strikes further away from the threat.
‘A Great Option to Consider’
Lockheed General Manager John Hill emphasized that the new weapon builds on proven production lines, established supply chains, and existing mission planning structures.
He also said the AGM-158 XR anticipates the needs of warfighters, making it “a great option” for the US Air Force to consider in the future.
The company clarified that the weapon is still in development and “several years out” from being ready for fielding.
However, it stated that initial flight testing could begin in one or two years.
“Lockheed Martin has developed the AGM-158 XR concept to offer significantly increased standoff attack range and be rapidly produced and delivered to the US military,” the firm noted.
Currently, the US Department of Defense has not yet committed to purchasing the new variant.