A development of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) will feature an option for ground strike and a two-way communications line, so that the missile can communicate with the central control room or other missiles in the air. This missile will be integrated with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Studies have shown that the F-35 would be able to carry two of these in its internal bays, while four additional missiles could be carried externally.
Lockheed Martin and Kongsberg signed a joint-marketing agreement for this air-launched version of the NSM, as well as an agreement committing both parties to integrating the JSM on the F-35 platform.[5][6] The project is funded by Norway and Australia.[7] Kongsberg signed a contract for the first phase of development of the JSM in April, 2009, which is scheduled for completion within 18 months.[8] The JSM will have multicore computers running the Integrity real-time operating system from Green Hills Software.[9]
Compared with the Naval Strike Missile, the Joint Strike Missile features:
Form factor altered to allow the missile to fit into the F-35's internal bays[11]
The ability to attack sea and land targets
Compatibility with various aircraft as launch platforms
Improved range: estimates include 150 nmi (170 mi; 280 km)[11] to more than 100 nmi low-low or more than 300 nmi (350 mi; 560 km) hi-low flight profiles[12]
The integration of the JSM with the F-35, and testing in the United States is facilitated by Lone Star Analysis, under long term contract with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.[15]
On 22 August 2024, Australia's Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, announced a AU$850 million partnership agreement had been signed with Kongsberg's local subsidiary — Kongsberg Defence Australia — for the manufacture and servicing of the JSM (and NSM) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at a new purpose built factory. The factory is to be constructed at RAAF Base Williamtown near the city of Newcastle in New South Wales. Manufacturing of missiles is expected to commence from 2027.[16]
Other variants
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Kongsberg were studying methods to deploy the JSM from Norway's submarines,[17] and found shaping the missile to fit into the F-35's confined bomb-bay also enabled it to fit in the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System. A VL-JSM could also compete with the Lockheed LRASM for the U.S. Navy's OASuW Increment 2 for a ship-launched anti-ship missile.[18]
On 15 July 2014, Kongsberg and Raytheon announced that they had formed a teaming agreement to offer the JSM to the United States Navy for their Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) requirement;[19] Raytheon would produce JSMs for the American market.[20] A teaming agreement is an interim agreement between partners which commits them to their roles during the development and marketing stage of a project. It would generally be transformed into a formal sub-contracting agreement once an order for delivery has been placed.[21]
The Navy plans to begin a competition for the OASuW requirement in 2017, which will likely pit the Kongsberg/Raytheon JSM against the Lockheed Martin AGM-158C LRASM.[22]
The main production facility for the JSM is located in Norway.
Australia - Kongsberg
Prior to the formal order of the JSM by the Australian Air Force in September 2024, Kongsberg announced in August 2024 that it was building a facility where the missile would be manufactured, in collaboration with the Australian government.[24]
United States - Kongsberg
In September 2024, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace announced that it was building a new missile production facility in James City County in Virginia. The plan is to have a facility that will assemble, upgrade and repair the Naval Strike Missile and the Joint Strike Missile. The investment will amount to USD $100 million, and Kongsberg plans to hire 180 people.[25][26]
Suppliers
United States
Raytheon manufactures some of the components of the JSM.[27]
In December 2021, the Finnish Air Force selected F-35 as their future fighter jet, and have selected JSM among other weaponry.[44] As of 2024, no firm order has been confirmed.
In July 2024, the Italian parliament revealed that it would equip the 20 F-35B of the Italian Navy with the JSM missile and the MBDA SPEAR 3.[45] These aircraft can be operated from the two aircraft carriers of the Italian Navy.
