Poland has received the first batch of Lockheed Martin JASSM long range standoff precision strike missile to arms its F-16 C/D fighter j...
Poland has received the first batch of Lockheed Martin JASSM long range standoff precision strike missile to arms its F-16 C/D fighter jets, becoming the first export customer for the type.
The AGM–158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range) missiles are an upgraded version of the AGM–158A, which currently have an increased range of about 1,000 km.
The acquisition through U.S. governments Foreign Military Sale route was cleared in 2014 and approved by U.S. congress in December 2016.
Under the $500 million deal, which also include F-16 Operational Flight Plan upgrades, associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support, Poland is acquiring 40 AGM-158A JASSMs.
These weapon and capability upgrades will allow Poland to strengthen its air-to-ground strike capabilities and increase its contribution to future NATO operations.
Poland is also acquiring the latest air-to-air AIM–9X Sidewinder heat seeking short range missiles and the medium-range air-to-air AIM–120 AMRAAM active radar-homing missiles to improve F-16s air defense capabilities.
The stealthy JASSM cruise missile entered U.S. Air Force service in 2009, and can destroy well defended ground targets with precision.
The 2,000-pound class missile is equipped with a penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead and can fly in adverse weather, day or night, using a state-of-the-art infrared seeker in addition to the anti-jam GPS to find a specific aimpoint on the target.
It is powered by a Teledyne CAE J402 turbojet engine.
