The agreement is intended to provide the longer-term demand needed to expand manufacturing capacity across the JATM industrial base. Lockheed Martin will support the investments required to raise output under the arrangement.
JATM is produced by Lockheed Martin in partnership with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The missile is compatible with several aircraft operated by the two services, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
The AIM-260 is designed to counter current and projected airborne threats. Lockheed Martin said it offers greater range and effectiveness than existing air-to-air weapons and is intended to provide an advantage to the joint force.
“This agreement builds on years of collaboration to deliver this critical air dominance capability to the warfighter,” said Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We will deliver JATM at the speed our nation and allies demand while providing value for taxpayers and our shareholders.”
The framework links faster production with the potential use of multiyear contracting to give manufacturers and suppliers greater certainty. Its implementation would expand the industrial capacity available to meet U.S. and allied demand for the missile.
Australia recently announced an investment of nearly $736 million to equip the Royal Australian Air Force with JATM. The acquisition is intended to improve interoperability and provide a deterrent capability supporting Australian, U.S. and allied security.
The agreement is another outcome of the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy. The strategy is intended to modernize military procurement and deliver weapons at the speed and scale required by the current security environment.
