Finland Order More JASSMs To Support F-18C/D Aircraft

Lockheed Martin has won a $13.3 million contract in November to support additional integration of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) onto the Finnish Air Force F-18C/D aircraft.

This third contract for Finland includes wind tunnel models and test support, software development completion, logistics support and engineering documentation. All work under this contract will be completed by third quarter 2016.

"The additional work that will be performed under this contract is an important step toward preparing for airworthiness activities on the Finnish F-18C/D," said Bob Adams, international program manager of long-range strike systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The contract follows the $34.2 million June 2013 contract award for test missiles, software development and engineering documentation as well as tooling, process development and equipment for facility expansion. The first contract, awarded in 2012, initiated the six-year integration, production and sustainment effort. The program is a joint effort between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin and the Finnish Air Force.

JASSM has met several recent milestones, including successful completion of the Lot 6 Reliability Assessment Program and completion of the JASSM-ER initial operational test and evaluation program, which resulted in recommendation for full-rate production.

JASSM is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided standoff missile designed to meet the needs of U.S. and allied warfighters. Armed with a penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM cruises autonomously, day or night in all weather conditions. The missile employs an infrared seeker and enhanced digital anti-jam Global Positioning System to find specific points on targets.

The stealthy JASSM is integrated on the U.S. Air Force's B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-15E. Internationally, JASSM is certified on the F/A-18A/B for the Royal Australian Air Force. Future integration efforts will focus on U.S. and international versions of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and other international platforms.