The US Navy wants to equip fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters with new JAGM-F missiles

The F-35 Lightning II is ready to carry the new AGM-179 JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missile). The US Navy intends to add it to the arsenal of the fifth-generation aircraft along with Hellfire, JASSM and LRASM.

Here's What We Know

The JAGM exists in several configurations. The air-launched version is called the JAGM-F or JAGM Increment 3. It can engage targets within a radius of about 15 kilometres. The advanced version, which is labelled JAGM-MR, has a range of about 30 km, but is still not adapted for air-launch.

The US Department of Defence has already tested the JAGM-F. For this purpose, US Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets were used. There are also plans to integrate the missile on the US Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier II.

The JAGM-F can operate on a "shoot and forget" basis. The missile's targets will be naval and land targets, including armoured vehicles. The small size compared to LRAMS and JASSM will allow the missile to be placed in the internal weapons compartment.

Source: sam.gov