JASSM program scores new successes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amy Robinson
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile flight test program added two more successes to the system’s record during recent tests conducted at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

The JASSM, one of Air Combat Command’s priority programs, flew successful test flights at the missile range Jan. 25 from a B-1B Lancer and Jan. 27 from an F-16. The missile’s record now stands at 11 successes out of 13 shots since January 2005, and an overall success rate of 33 out of 43 flights.

During the flights, which tested JASSM’s reliability and affordability, the missiles accurately navigated planned waypoints and struck their intended targets successfully, said Maj. Gen. Jack Catton, ACC director of Requirements.

“The JASSM weapon system continues to demonstrate high reliability in flight and ground testing,” General Catton said. “More and more units are gaining the capability to effectively employ the weapon system.”

The continued development of the missile will add to the Air Force’s capabilities to execute operations accurately and safely. The missile is designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and relocatable targets.

“The JASSM enables combat air forces to attack an adversary’s heavily-defended targets that are being protected by next generation surface-to-air missile systems,” General Catton explained.

The general said one of the keys to JASSM is its long-range standoff capability, which is four to six times greater than other air-to-surface weapons in the current combat air force inventory. As a result, aircrews and their aircraft are kept well outside the lethal range of an enemy’s air defense systems.

Within the Air Force, the JASSM has achieved initial operational capability on the B-1B and the B-52H, and is anticipated on the F-16 and B-2 Spirit by mid-March, Air Combat Command officials said.

The JASSM program is currently entering a test phase for the JASSM-Extended Range variant, which will allow a standoff range of two-and-a-half times greater than the current JASSM range.

Currently, the Air Force inventory contains more than 330 JASSMs and will increase to more than 4,700 missiles by 2020, officials said.