USA to Increase Production of JAGM and Hellfire Guided Missiles

The United States plans to increase production of JAGM and Hellfire guided missiles due to the growing need for precision-guided weapons and rising demand from foreign customers.

According to Defence Blog, current efforts are focused on finding new suppliers of the components and materials required for their production and maintenance.

A new notice from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) indicates that the United States is preparing for a large-scale expansion of its supply and support system for JAGM and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles produced by Lockheed Martin.

The document, published on November 26, outlines the initial steps toward identifying new sources of manufacturing and supply as demand for missile components continues to grow.

A market study is currently underway to determine whether a future procurement of missile components could attract additional industrial participants beyond the current suppliers.

The DLA is seeking qualified firms “to acquire missile spare parts in order to add them to the Lockheed Martin Supplier Capabilities Contract,” which supports the U.S. Army’s Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command.

Companies responding to the request are expected to demonstrate full competence in the manufacturing and supply chains of parts and materials.

The publication notes that these efforts reflect the growing operational importance of precision weapons for the U.S. Army, particularly the Hellfire and JAGM missiles used on helicopters and unmanned aircraft.

The expansion of the production process indicates preparations to increase manufacturing rates driven by global demand for these weapons — in August 2025 alone, Lockheed Martin reported receiving orders worth $720 million from the U.S. armed forces and their partners for JAGM and Hellfire missiles.

Missiles

The AGM-114 Hellfire is a laser-guided air-to-ground missile with a range of up to 8 km. The missiles are in service with the armed forces of many countries. Initially, the Hellfire was used as an anti-tank weapon, but its capabilities were later expanded to engage other types of targets on the battlefield.

The AGM-179A JAGM is the newest airborne precision weapon, introduced into U.S. service only in 2022 and intended to replace the earlier Hellfire and Maverick missiles. At the same time, it retains a high degree of commonality with the Hellfire missile, including the use of the same engine.