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A US company is creating a long-range missile with an impressive 1.609 km range and the ability to carry 454 kg of payload.
A Lockheed Martin, one of the largest defense companies in the United States, presented its latest advancement in the field of long-range missiles. During the conference Air, Space & Cyber 2024, held in Washington, the company revealed the AGM-158 XR, an improved version of the Joint-Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) line. This new missile is designed to strike targets at extreme ranges and carry a warhead of up to 1.000 pounds, making it one of the most powerful and effective in its class.
The JASSM series is already widely used by the United States Air Force (USAF) for long-range strike missions, and with the new AGM-158 XR variant, Lockheed Martin intends to further extend the range and effectiveness of these missiles.
The JASSM line also has naval versions, known as Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), used by the US Navy in maritime operations of attack.
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One of the most notable features of these missiles is their low detectability, which allows them to be launched from aircraft and ships without being readily detected by enemy radars.
The AGM-158 XR's ability to strike targets up to 1.000 miles (approximately 1.600 km) away rivals renowned missiles such as the Tomahawk, greatly increasing the Air Force's strategic power.
The missile’s modular design allows for continuous upgrades, with state-of-the-art avionics and sensors, ensuring it remains effective and relevant for future missions.
Versatility and modularity
One of the key innovations of the AGM-158 XR is its modularity. John Hill, general manager of Lockheed Martin, highlighted that the missile is designed to be easily modified and upgraded. “As we make modifications, we are going digital. We are leveraging the existing mission planning framework and software architecture“, Hill said during the presentation.
This flexibility allows the AGM-158 XR to be adapted to different types of missions, as well as incorporate real-time improvements as it moves down the production line.
This ensures that fighters in the field can rely on the most modern and effective weaponry, regardless of the circumstances of the mission.
In addition, the new variant features a series of improvements to its coating, which is now semi-glossy black.
According to Lockheed Martin experts, this change was designed to reduce the missile's visual signature, making it less detectable by enemy monitoring systems.
Impact on combat operations
The AGM-158 XR's long-range capability brings significant advantages to launch platforms such as the F-16, F-15 and F-18 fighters, as well as strategic bombers.
The missile was developed to increase the survivability of these aircraft, allowing them to operate at a safe distance from their targets, away from the range of anti-aircraft defenses.
One of the most promising strategies for using the AGM-158 XR is its integration with the “Rapid Dragon” system, a technique that uses cargo aircraft to launch missiles at great distances. Since these aircraft are more vulnerable than fighters or bombers, the missile offers the advantage of being able to be launched hundreds of miles away from the target, increasing crew safety and mission effectiveness.
Outlook for the future
Although Lockheed Martin has revealed many details about the AGM-158 XR, the missile has not yet been tested in real combat conditions.
The company plans to produce about 1.100 units per year, combining variants of the AGM-158 ER and XR, in line with demand from the USAF and foreign militaries.
However, since the XR variant is domestically funded, it will still be a few years before it undergoes deep flight testing.
Until then, Lockheed Martin will continue to refine its modular design and combat capabilities, ensuring that this missile becomes a mainstay of air defense for the U.S. and its allies.
