Lockheed Martin Reveals Extended-Range AGM-158 XR Stealthy Cruise Missile

Lockheed Martin has introduced the AGM-158 eXtreme Range (XR), an improved variant of its Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family, featuring a significantly increased operational range.

The AGM-158 XR extends the reach of its predecessors, with a reported range of up to 1600 kilometers. Some reports claim its range could surpass that of the Tomahawk missile.

The XR is an enlarged version of the JASSM, incorporating a stretched fuselage to accommodate additional fuel and a larger 540 kg warhead. The missile retains the trapezoidal cross-section and low-observable design of earlier JASSM and LRASM variants, but its increased dimensions allow for enhanced range and payload capacity.

The AGM-158 family includes several variants. The AGM-158A JASSM is the baseline version and is no longer in production. The AGM-158B JASSM-ER is the extended-range variant, capable of reaching over 900 kilometers. The AGM-158B-2 JASSM-ER features obsolescence upgrades, such as a new electronic fuze and enhanced software. The AGM-158B-3 JASSM-ER is currently in development and will incorporate M-code GPS capability. Another variant in development, the AGM-158D JASSM-ER, includes a Weapon Data Link for post-launch retargeting.

The AGM-158 XR’s design includes a semi-gloss black coating to reduce its visual signature. The new missile is similar in appearance to its predecessors; and retains the guidance systems of the JASSM family, including improved inertial and GPS guidance, and features a nose infrared camera for final-target acquisition, achieving a circular probable deviation of no more than 3 meters.

Lockheed Martin's XR variant is designed to enhance both the JASSM and LRASM portfolios, offering a long-range maritime strike capability and potentially addressing advanced anti-access/area-denial threats. The missile's development aligns with increasing global interest in JASSM variants, with recent orders from countries including the Netherlands, which has procured AGM-158 JASSM-ER missiles for its F-35A fighter jets.

Lockheed Martin aims to produce up to 1,100 AGM-158 missiles annually.