AGM-179 JAGM explained

AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile
Type:Air-to-surface missile
Is Missile:Yes
Service:Achieved IOC March 1st 2022 with the U.S. Marine Corps[1]
Manufacturer:Lockheed Martin
Unit Cost:[2] (FY 2023)
Weight:108lb
Length:700NaN0
Diameter:70NaN0
Vehicle Range:5miles[3]
Guidance: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

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

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, 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

Operators

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marine Corps Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Achieves Initial Operational Capability . United States Navy . 7 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203224019/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3035212/marine-corps-joint-air-to-ground-missile-achieves-initial-operational-capability/ . 3 February 2023 . 17 May 2022 . live.
  2. Web site: Trevithick . Joseph A. . Here Is What Each Of The Pentagon's Air-Launched Missiles And Bombs Actually Cost . The Drive . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124225825/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32277/here-is-what-each-of-the-pentagons-air-launched-missiles-and-bombs-actually-cost . 24 November 2023 . en . 15 Feb 2020 . 18 February 2020 . live.
  3. Web site: 20 February 2014 . JAGM Media Briefing . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140326000334/https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/mfc/photo/tradeshows/ausa-winter-2014/briefings/mfc-2014-AUSA-Winter-JAGM-briefing.pdf . 26 March 2014 . Lockheed Martin.
  4. Web site: ARMY RDT&E BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION (R2 Exhibit) - PDF. 2007-07-15. 2017-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20170305190804/http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2008/Army/0603460A.pdf. dead.
  5. Web site: Trimble . Stephen . 17 August 2010 . VIDEO: Raytheon/Boeing show JAGM direct hit . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100828080311/http://www.flightglobal.com:80/articles/2010/08/17/346221/video-raytheonboeing-show-jagm-direct-hit.html . 28 August 2010 . 17 August 2010 . Flight Global.
  6. Web site: Pentagon Plans Industry Day For Joint Air To Ground Missile . Defense Daily . 234 . 60 . 2007-07-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071209121141/http://www.industrywatch.com/pages/iw2/Story.nsp?story_id=107810071&ID=iw&scategory=Small+Business%3ATools&P=&F=&R=&VNC=hnall . 2007-12-09 . dead .
  7. Web site: 14 April 2008 . Raytheon and Boeing Team for Joint Air to Ground Missile Program . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002222847/https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=966 . 2 October 2023 . 6 October 2013 . Raytheon.
  8. Web site: 22 September 2008 . U.S. Army Awards Raytheon-Boeing Team $125 Million Contract for Joint Air-to-Ground Missile . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160121065731/http://investor.raytheon.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=84193&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1199211 . 21 January 2016 . 6 October 2013 . Raytheon.
  9. Web site: 18 September 2008 . Lockheed Martin Wins $122 Million Technology Development Contract for Joint Air-To-Ground Missile Program . https://web.archive.org/web/20220123220802/https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2008-09-18-Lockheed-Martin-Wins-122-Million-Technology-Development-Contract-for-Joint-Air-to-Ground-Missile-Program . 23 January 2022 . Lockheed Martin.
  10. Web site: Sherman . Jason . 11 October 2011 . Army, Navy Propose Terminating Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Program . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111128084459/http://defensenewsstand.com/NewsStand-General/The-INSIDER-Free-Article/army-navy-propose-terminating-joint-air-to-ground-missile-program/menu-id-720.html . 28 November 2011 . 5 December 2011 . Inside Defense.
  11. Web site: Trimble . Stephen . 26 January 2012 . Pentagon slashes fighter squadrons, airlifters in new budget proposal . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230615082938/https://www.flightglobal.com/pentagon-slashes-fighter-squadrons-airlifters-in-new-budget-proposal/103813.article . 15 June 2023 . 14 November 2013 . Flight Global.
  12. Web site: 17 August 2012 . Lockheed Martin Awarded $64 Million JAGM Contract For Extended Technology Development . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221201142110/https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2012-08-17-Lockheed-Martin-Awarded-64-Million-JAGM-Contract-For-Extended-Technology-Development . 1 December 2022 . Lockheed Martin.
  13. Web site: Majumdar . Dave . 23 October 2012 . Raytheon submits JAGM contract proposal . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330105854/https://www.flightglobal.com/ausa-raytheon-submits-jagm-contract-proposal/107515.article . 30 March 2023 . Flight Global.
  14. Web site: 6 December 2012 . US Army awards JAGM continued technology development contract . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209020926/https://www.army-technology.com/news/newsus-army-awards-jagm-continued-technology-development-contract/ . 9 February 2023 . Army Technology.
  15. Web site: Malenic . Marina . 18 July 2013 . US Army to move ahead with Lockheed Martin JAGM . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130724013144/http://www.janes.com/article/24749/us-army-to-move-ahead-with-lockheed-martin-jagm . 24 July 2013 . Janes.
  16. Web site: 15 June 2022 . JAGM: Joint Air-Ground Missile Again . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101013857/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/joint-common-missile-program-fired-but-not-forgotten-0229/#jagm-milestones-army-contract-awards . 1 January 2024 . Defense Industry Daily.
  17. Web site: Parsons . Dan . 6 February 2015 . US army seeks upgrades for Hellfire missile guidance system . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330122321/https://www.flightglobal.com/us-army-seeks-upgrades-for-hellfire-missile-guidance-system/115825.article . 30 March 2023 . Flight Global.
  18. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-sticking-by-tri-mode-missile-despite-lockheed-jagm-415378/ Raytheon sticking by tri-mode missile despite Lockheed JAGM win
  19. Web site: MDS Designators allocated after 19 August 1998 (until October 2018) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112193546/http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/412015-L(addendum).html . 12 November 2023 . Designation Systems.
  20. Web site: 28 June 2018 . Lockheed Martin's JAGM missile approved for LRIP phase . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180630214127/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/june/4354-lockheed-martin-s-jagm-missile-approved-for-lrip-phase.html . 30 June 2018 . Air Recognition.
  21. Web site: Judson . Jen . 9 September 2022 . Army, Marines declare Joint Air-to-Ground Missile ready for production . live . https://archive.today/20240107040842/https://www.defensenews.com/land/2022/09/09/army-marines-declare-joint-air-to-ground-missile-ready-for-production/ . 7 January 2024 . Defense News.
  22. Web site: Judson . Jen . 29 December 2022 . Lockheed doubles Joint Air-to-Ground missile range in flight test . live . https://archive.today/20240107041059/https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2022/12/29/lockheed-doubles-joint-air-to-ground-missile-range-in-flight-test/ . 7 January 2024 . Defense News.
  23. Web site: 28 June 2024 . 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 . 14 July 2024.
  24. Web site: Butler . Amy . 13 October 2010 . U.S. Marines Propose AH-1Z Production Boost . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240107041420/https://aviationweek.com/us-marines-propose-ah-1z-production-boost . 7 January 2024 . Aviation Week.
  25. Web site: 7 March 2023 . Laser- en radargeleide raketten voor Apache-gevechtshelikopters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240103110034/https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/03/07/laser--en-radargeleide-raketten-voor-apache-gevechtshelikopters . 3 January 2024 . 7 March 2023 . Dutch Ministry of Defense . Dutch.
  26. Web site: 21 August 2023 . Poland – AH-64E Apache Helicopters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230821203823/https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/poland-ah-64e-apache-helicopters . 21 August 2023 . Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
  27. Web site: Allison . George . 8 June 2021 . UK confirms JAGM missile for AH-64E Apache fleet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030104234/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-confirms-jagm-missile-for-ah-64e-apache-fleet/ . 30 October 2023 . UK Defence Journal.
  28. Web site: Allison . George . 24 October 2023 . Britain to buy 3,000 JAGM air-to-ground missiles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031220654/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-to-buy-3000-jagm-air-to-ground-missiles/ . 31 October 2023 . 27 October 2023 . UK Defence Journal.

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