Australia Cleared to Buy JASSM-ER Missiles for $235M

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale to Australia of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles - Extended Range (JASSM ER) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $235 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. 

Australia has requested to buy eighty Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles - Extended Range (JASSM ER) (AGM-158B with telemetry kits and/or AGM-158B-2 configurations); as well as related support and equipment.

The missiles will be armed on Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air platforms including the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A Lightning II.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL.

The JASSM-ER is a 2,250-pound cruise missile with a 1,000-pound penetrator and blast-fragmentation warhead that uses precision routing and guidance. Its predecessor had a range of 230 miles, while the JASSM-ER has a range of 620 miles.