By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News
(Washington DC) Sometime this year. Lockheed Martin plans a test of a missile system that it says will be the future of US Navy defenses.
It will be a demonstration of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile – which can be used against targets in the air, on the ground and at sea – with what the company describes as the modular and rapid reload capable JAGM Quad Launcher (JQL) prototype.
The test will involve using the missile to engage an aerial drone, while showcasing the JQL’s reloadability feature.
“The next-generation deterrence option for naval precision-guided capability is JAGM,” said Joey Drake, Lockheed Martin’s program director for multi-domain missile systems. “Its ability to provide multi-domain defensive as well as offensive fires positions it perfectly to be integrated into a variety of naval surface platforms.”
The JAGM entered service a little more than three years ago with the Marine Corps. Eventually, tens of thousands will be built for the Marines, Navy and Army. It was designed to replace the TOW, Hellfire and Maverick missiles. In fact, the JAGM is being produced on the same production line as the Hellfire, which has been in service now for four decades and is used by more than 30 countries.
Last June, in a test in the Pacific, a Marine helicopter fired a JAGM, striking a moving target vessel for the first time. The Marines said the weapon provides a “fire and forget” capability to guide the missile to a target.
“It makes sense to expand the operational footprint of JAGM to include self-defense of Navy surface ships,” said Chris Abt, Lockheed Martin’s advanced concepts director. “In so doing, you enhance affordability to all users, increase utility across the US Navy and improve logistics support across all naval forces.”
The JQL modifies the M299 launcher – also built by Lockheed – so it to be easily mounted on the decks of Navy ships. Meanwhile, its launcher management assembly can be integrated with weapon control systems, allowing users to launch JAGMs remotely.
The JAGM has a dual-mode guidance system which is fitted onto what is called a Hellfire “bus” – the propulsion system and warhead. Its radar sensors allow JAGM users to strike multiple targets almost simultaneously.
The plan is to use it on a number of helicopters (AH-1Z, MH-60 and AH-64), the F-35 fighter and the MQ-9 drone. The UK, Netherlands and Poland are among the countries planning to use the JAGM.
