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AGM-179 JAGM

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AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile
A prototype AGM-179 JAGM
TypeAir-to-surface missile
Service history
In serviceAchieved IOC March 1st 2022 with the U.S. Marine Corps[1]
Production history
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Unit costUS$319,000[2] (FY 2023)
Specifications
Mass108 lb (49 kg)
Length70 in (1,778 mm)
Diameter7 in (178 mm)
Operational
range
5 mi (8.0 km)[3]
Guidance
system
Semi-active laser and millimeter-wave radar
Launch
platform
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft

The AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) is an American military program to develop an air-to-surface missile, to replace the current air-launched BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire, and AGM-65 Maverick missiles.[4] The U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps plan to buy thousands of JAGMs.[5]

Description

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The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program is a follow-on from the unsuccessful AGM-169 Joint Common Missile program, that was cancelled due to budget cuts. JAGM will share basically the same objectives and technologies as the JCM, but will be developed over a longer time scale.[6]

History

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In June 2007, the US Defense Department released a draft request for proposals (RFP), launching a competition for the Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) program.[6] In 2008, Raytheon and Boeing teamed up on a $125 million contract,[7][8] and Lockheed Martin received a $122 million technology development contract for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) system. The 27-month contracts from the U.S. Army's Aviation and Missile Command is for a competitive risk-reduction phase.[9]

In the spring of 2011, each team submitted its proposal, with a contract award expected in the first quarter of 2012. However, in September 2011, the Army and Navy requested the JAGM program be terminated.[10] In 2012, the JAGM survived a budget reduction, with reduced funding.[11]

In 2012, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon received contracts from the U.S. Army to extend the JAGM technology development program, including the design, test, and demonstration phases for the JAGM guidance section.[12][13][14] In 2013, the Army announced it would not award Raytheon a contract for the remainder of the Technology Development (TD) phase, and will continue with Lockheed's contract.[15] In February 2012, the Navy and Marine Corps terminated their investment in the program, saying it was a "manageable risk" to do so and that they would instead focus on the GBU-53/B StormBreaker and continued Hellfire procurement, making the JAGM an Army-only program. In March 2014, they re-entered the program, with documents showing integration of the missile onto Marine AH-1Z helicopters.[16]

In 2015, the Army issued an RFP for a JAGM guidance section upgrade. Lockheed Martin offered its dual-mode laser and millimeter wave radar seeker, and Raytheon may submit its tri-mode seeker which adds imaging infrared if it chooses to compete.[17] Lockheed Martin was awarded a $66 million engineering and manufacturing contract to combine its laser and millimeter wave seekers into the Hellfire Romeo missile body. Raytheon chose not to compete, but retains its tri-mode seeker should the Army request it.[18]

The designation AGM-179 was assigned to the JAGM program.[19] In 2018, a Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for JAGM was approved.[20] In early 2022, the AGM-179A achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with USMC AH-1Z helicopters, clearing the weapon for operational deployment.[1]

In August 2022, the JAGM was declared ready for full-rate production. By February 2022, 1,000 missiles had been produced, manufacturing at the minimum sustainment rate, under low-rate production. Improvements to the JAGM are being developed, such as a medium-range variant with a range of 10 mi (16 km), without changing the missile's dimensions.[21]

In November 2022, Lockheed Martin flight tested the JAGM-Medium Range, or JAGM-MR, which traveled 10 miles. The version incorporates a tri-mode seeker, adding an imaging sensor, which was originally a requirement for the missile but was dropped due to cost factors. It was added back in the JAGM-MR as seeker technology became more affordable. Lockheed claims the upgraded capability can be provided at a cost close to the baseline JAGM.[22]

In June 2024, A 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit attack helicopter fired off a missile in the Pacific, striking a moving target vessel. According to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, "this EXPO strike launched the first live JAGM from an AH-1Z in the Indo-Pacific region and employed a variety of munitions against a high-speed towed target." [23]

Launch platforms

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Operators

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 Netherlands
 Poland
 United Kingdom
 United States
  • The JAGM was intended for joint service with the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps by providing a single missile configuration for many platforms. JAGM offered the services increased operational flexibility and reduced logistics support costs.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Marine Corps Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Achieves Initial Operational Capability". United States Navy. 17 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  2. ^ Trevithick, Joseph A. (18 February 2020). "Here Is What Each Of The Pentagon's Air-Launched Missiles And Bombs Actually Cost". The Drive. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 15 Feb 2020.
  3. ^ "JAGM Media Briefing" (PDF). Lockheed Martin. 20 February 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "ARMY RDT&E BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION (R2 Exhibit) - PDF" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-05. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
  5. ^ Trimble, Stephen (17 August 2010). "VIDEO: Raytheon/Boeing show JAGM direct hit". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  6. ^ a b "Pentagon Plans Industry Day For Joint Air To Ground Missile". Defense Daily. Archived from the original on 2007-12-09. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
  7. ^ "Raytheon and Boeing Team for Joint Air to Ground Missile Program". Raytheon. 14 April 2008. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  8. ^ "U.S. Army Awards Raytheon-Boeing Team $125 Million Contract for Joint Air-to-Ground Missile". Raytheon. 22 September 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  9. ^ "Lockheed Martin Wins $122 Million Technology Development Contract for Joint Air-To-Ground Missile Program". Lockheed Martin. 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022.
  10. ^ Sherman, Jason (11 October 2011). "Army, Navy Propose Terminating Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Program". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  11. ^ Trimble, Stephen (26 January 2012). "Pentagon slashes fighter squadrons, airlifters in new budget proposal". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  12. ^ "Lockheed Martin Awarded $64 Million JAGM Contract For Extended Technology Development". Lockheed Martin. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022.
  13. ^ Majumdar, Dave (23 October 2012). "Raytheon submits JAGM contract proposal". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023.
  14. ^ "US Army awards JAGM continued technology development contract". Army Technology. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023.
  15. ^ Malenic, Marina (18 July 2013). "US Army to move ahead with Lockheed Martin JAGM". Janes. Archived from the original on 24 July 2013.
  16. ^ "JAGM: Joint Air-Ground Missile Again". Defense Industry Daily. 15 June 2022. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024.
  17. ^ Parsons, Dan (6 February 2015). "US army seeks upgrades for Hellfire missile guidance system". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023.
  18. ^ Raytheon sticking by tri-mode missile despite Lockheed JAGM win - Flightglobal.com, 4 August 2015
  19. ^ "MDS Designators allocated after 19 August 1998 (until October 2018)". Designation Systems. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Lockheed Martin's JAGM missile approved for LRIP phase". Air Recognition. 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018.
  21. ^ Judson, Jen (9 September 2022). "Army, Marines declare Joint Air-to-Ground Missile ready for production". Defense News. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024.
  22. ^ Judson, Jen (29 December 2022). "Lockheed doubles Joint Air-to-Ground missile range in flight test". Defense News. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024.
  23. ^ "A US Marine Corps attack helicopter fired off a new 'fire and forget' missile for the first time in the Pacific, striking a moving vessel". 28 June 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  24. ^ Butler, Amy (13 October 2010). "U.S. Marines Propose AH-1Z Production Boost". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Laser- en radargeleide raketten voor Apache-gevechtshelikopters". Dutch Ministry of Defense (in Dutch). 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  26. ^ "Poland – AH-64E Apache Helicopters". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 21 August 2023. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023.
  27. ^ Allison, George (8 June 2021). "UK confirms JAGM missile for AH-64E Apache fleet". UK Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023.
  28. ^ Allison, George (24 October 2023). "Britain to buy 3,000 JAGM air-to-ground missiles". UK Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
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