Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 JASSM missile has successfully completed three more tests since late last year, giving it a record of 18 out of 19 since flight tests resumed in September.
The latest tests have renewed confidence in the program after the USAF had threatened to cancel it early last year after a series of cost overruns, and fusing and GPS guidance errors. But a new contract was awarded on January 20 for an additional 160 rounds under Lot 8 production, valued at US$245m (A$283m).
The RAAF has ordered the JASSM to equip its F/A-18A/B Hornets with a long range standoff weapon, and hopes to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) with the weapon at the end of this year.
