The Norwegian Kongsberg developed Joint Strike Missile (JSM) successfully completed a missile flight test in the United States last week...
The Norwegian Kongsberg developed Joint Strike Missile (JSM) successfully completed a missile flight test in the United States last week.
The medium-range stealthy missile, designed for anti-ship and land attack missions was launched at 22,000 ft from an U.S. Air Force F-16 combat aircraft over the Utah Test and Training Range.
During the flight test, the JSM performed a number of challenging flight maneuvers.
Specifically designed to fit inside the Lockheed Martin F-35A weapons bay, the missile was developed in partnership with Raytheon for the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The 4 m long missile weighs 416 kg and homes into the target using a imaging infra-red seeker.The JSM has a 500lbs class warhead with a gross weight of 120 kg and explosive weight of 100 kg (TNT equivalent).
The missile has very low signature and flies a terrain following/sea skimming flight profile.
The missile will complete the qualification program in 2017 and will have unmatched operational capabilities enabling the F-35 to strike targets from standoff ranges.
The missile flight test program started early 2015 with numerous captive carry tests on an F-16 and will continue with flight tests of increasing complexity through 2016 and 2017.
The flight test program is scheduled to complete in accordance with plan in 2017.
