$80M for 70 AGM-158 JASSM Missiles, Plus Support and R&D
Mar 17, 2006 08:33 EST
The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (AGM-158 JASSM) semi-stealth cruise missile faced development troubles, a partial program recovery and budgetary allocations, and recently was selected by Australia as their medium-long range precision strike missile. Now Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL has received an $80 million firm fixed price contract modification for 70 Lot 5 JASSM missiles, Lot 5 contractor engineering support, and JASSM reliability enhancement efforts. As previous articles have noted, reliability has been an issue for JASSM in the past though recent tests indicate possible improvement. This contract includes 5 dedicated JASSM reliability test vehicles.
Work will be complete February 2008. The Headquarters Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, FL issued the contract (FA8682-04-C-0060/P00012), which covers the USAF only since the Navy ended procurement in 2005 in favor of the SLAM-ER.
