An F-16 launched a JSM (long-range strike missile for the F-35) for the first time over Utah last week

November 11, 2015 Military Aviation

David Cenciotti

Testing of the new missile for the F-35 continues.

Last week, a Joint Strike Missile (JSM) was successfully launched at 22,000 feet from an Edwards Air Force Base F-16 over the Utah Test and Training Center during a missile flight test (which included “challenging maneuvers”) aimed at proving the maturity of the missile and its flight control software.

The JSM is a new missile being developed in partnership with Raytheon for the F-35 by the Norwegian company Kongsberg and the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.

Unveiled on Nov. 29, 2012, the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), is going to be the only powered anti-ship missile that will fit inside the F-35’s weapons bays. Derived from the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the anti-ship weapon, featuring long-range, low radar cross section and high maneuverability, speed and accuracy, is involved in a flight test program started early 2015 with numerous captive carry tests on an F-16. Testing will continue 2016 and 2017 when qualification program is planned to complete.

The JSM will give the F-35 the ability to fight well-defended targets across long distances. The missile will be integrated on the F-35A (as well as other types of aircraft): even though it would be useful to carry four missiles (2 in the internal bays, 2 on the external pylons) a Lightning II carrying the JSM on the underwing pylons would lose much of its stealthiness, that’s why the Joint Strike Fighter will probably only carry two such stand-off missiles.

Image credit: Lockheed Martin

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

leroy says:

November 12, 2015 at 12:42 AM

It’s planned for the F-35 Block 4 upgrade. It is very stealthy, has good range, and is waypoint-programmable. Combined with the F-35, it will make a formidable anti-shipping missile. The Chiese are very concerned by it! But guess what PLA Navy? The Japanese will be likely buying some too. And the Philippines for their new South Korean T-50 fighters.
- Paul says:
  
  November 12, 2015 at 2:50 PM
  
  And when exactly is Block 4 software for the JSF going to be deployed and combat-capable, assuming they stay on schedule? – Looks like 2021 or later – Let’s see, 4 years before that time, these could be integrated on any fighter OTHER than JSF.
  - E1-Kabong says:
    
    November 14, 2015 at 8:41 PM
    
    2020.
    
    http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/norwegian-contract-launches-nsm-missile-03417/
    
    Let’s see….the JSM is STILL in development……
    
    What was your point?
mfd78 says:

November 12, 2015 at 2:30 AM

Is there such a thing as an UNpowered missile?
- Larry J says:
  
  November 12, 2015 at 2:52 PM
  
  Not really, those would be glide bombs such as the Small Diameter Bomb.
- E1-Kabong says:
  
  November 12, 2015 at 7:59 PM
  
  Nope….
  
  ;-)
- Ed says:
  
  November 13, 2015 at 9:32 PM
  
  I think that’s more generally known as a ‘bomb’
John Citizen says:

November 18, 2015 at 8:35 PM

Why not deploy it with other aircraft until (or if) the F-35 is operational. For years, I assumed our we had hundreds of Tomahawk anti-ship missiles. Only recently did I learn they had been converted years ago to anti-surface weapons or retired. So currently our only anti-ship missile is the antiquated Harpoon with a range of what–60 nautical miles? Crazy. We need a long-range anti-ship missile as of yesterday.
- David Crosswell says:
  
  August 14, 2017 at 11:31 PM
  
  They’re looking to retrofit it to the F-16 now.
  Northrup-Grumman are doing a lot of work in regard to an upgrade path to the F-16, and this may well become part of that programme.