F-35 Boost: Italy Orders 100 JASSM-ER Cruise Missiles

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) systems and related equipment to Italy.

The deal is valued at $301 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency submitted the notification to Congress.

The Italian government requested the purchase of 100 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER missiles. The package also includes classified test equipment, containers, KGV-135A encryption devices, spare parts, consumables, software, technical documentation, transportation support, and engineering services from the U.S. government and contractors.

The missiles enable long-range strikes without requiring aircraft to enter enemy air-defense zones. Italy plans to use them on fighter jets, including the F-35.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, which produces the JASSM-ER and will provide technical support for the program.

The AGM-158B JASSM-ER is an air-launched cruise missile with a range of up to 1,000 km. It measures about 4.27 meters in length, has a wingspan of 2.4 meters, and weighs roughly 1,021 kg.

Its warhead is a 450-kg penetrating high-explosive unit designed to destroy hardened targets. Guidance combines GPS, inertial navigation, and an infrared seeker, with reported accuracy of up to 3 meters from the aim point.