US firm plans 1,000-mile-range monster missile with 1,000-pound payload power

Lockheed Martin has unveiled its new extreme-range Joint-Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), the AGM-158 XR. It was showcased at this year’s Air, Space & Cyber 2024 in Washington. The new missile can travel further and pack more punch than its predecessors.

While it has been known to be in development for some time, this is the first time concrete details have been released to the public.

For the uninitiated, the United States Air Force (USAF) widely uses Lockheed Martin’s JASSM series for deep-strike missions. There are also navalized variants called the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) for the U.S. Navy.

These missile systems are low detection by design and can be launched at long range from aircraft and ships. The first variant entered service in 2009 and is currently serving various foreign armed forces, including Australia, Finland, and Poland.

Bigger boom, longer range AGM-158

The AGM-158 XR can carry a 1,000-pound (454 kg) warhead and is said to have a range approaching Tomahawk missiles. If true, it can be launched as far away as 1,000 or more miles (1,600 km) from its intended target.

The new missile features the characteristic trapezoidal cross-section of its predecessors, as well as new sensors and avionics. Like the LRASM, it also features a data link to allow the swarming of missiles .

It is also designed modular, enabling the missile to be customized for missions or upgraded over time.

“It leverages modularity. So, while we’re doing modifications, we’re going digital. We’re leveraging the existing mission planning structure and software architecture,” John Hill, Lockheed Martin’s general manager, explained at the event.

“And as you know, JASSM or LRASM benefit from inline upgrades and fixes as they come down the production line. So, being part of a production line where you can incorporate changes that the warfighters ask for in stride is pretty powerful. So this weapon leverages all of those great things, and it’s a great option for the Air Force to consider for the future,” he added.

The much-improved range will improve the survivability of launch platforms like the F-16, F-15E, F-15EX, F-18, and various bombers. It also features low-observable skin and reduced infrared and electromagnetic signatures.

Death from long range

One of the most appealing uses could be deploying cargo aircraft to launch them via “Rapid Dragon.” Since these aircraft are more vulnerable than bombers and fighters, providing them with hundreds of miles of extra standoff range could be a very attractive proposition for the USAF and Navy.

According to the War Zone (TWZ) , all future AGM-158 missiles will be coated in semi-gloss black, similar to the XR mockup and some previous test LRASMs.

As Lockheed officials explained, this change is intended to reduce the missile’s visual signature. It’s worth noting that in-service JASSMs have typically been painted gray in the past.

The company aims to produce 1,100 missiles annually in the near future. Depending on orders, some may be ERs and others XRs. When we might see an AGM-158 XR actually tested is uncertain.

However, it is worth noting that the XR variant is an internally funded initiative, and it will be at least a couple of years before it moves into deep-flight testing.