Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace announced on 11 March 2019 that it has signed a contract to provide “the initial deliveries” of precision-guided Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs) for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) growing fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters. Janes reported that Japan is set to take delivery of an initial batch of Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs), manufacturer Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The JASDF plans to equip each of its F-35As with the JSM. The service secured JPY7.9 billion (USD71 million) for fiscal year 2019 to acquire an undisclosed number of JSMs
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role, air-launched cruise missile under development by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) and American company Raytheon Missiles & Defense. A development of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) will feature an option for ground strike and a two-way communications line, so that the missile can communicate with the central control room or other missiles in the air. This missile will be integrated with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Studies have shown that the F-35 would be able to carry two of these in its internal bays, while four additional missiles could be carried externally. The project is funded by Norway and Australia.
Lockheed Martin and Kongsberg signed a joint-marketing agreement for this air-launched version of the NSM, as well as an agreement committing both parties to integrating the JSM on the F-35 platform. Kongsberg signed a contract for the first phase of development of the JSM in April, 2009, which is scheduled for completion within 18 months. The JSM will have multicore computers running Integrity real-time operating system from Green Hills Software. Improved features for the Joint Strike Missile include: Larger warhead, Shape changed to fit in F-35 internal bay, Ability to attack sea and land based targets and improved range over NSM, estimates include 150 nmi (170 mi; 280 km) to >100 nmi low-low or > 300 nmi (350 mi; 560 km) hi-low flight profiles.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions. Japan Air Self-Defense Force , which already operates 11 conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35As from Misawa Air Base, plans to eventually field a total of 105 F-35As, along with 42 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs. In December 2011 Tokyo ordered 42 F-35As for about USD20 billion, including maintenance, repairs, and the establishment of local facilities, but recently decided to expand its F-35 fleet. 27 F-35As operational as of March 2022 with a total order of 147, including 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs.
