US Lockheed Martin to demonstrate vertical launch of Joint Air-to-Ground Missile next year

US Lockheed Martin leading global security, defense and aerospace contractor is advancing its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program with plans for a vertical launch, live fire demonstration set for next year.

The company aims to market these systems to both the US and Australia in the future, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

At the recent Land Forces exhibition in Melbourne, Australia, Lockheed Martin showcased a model of a generic vessel resembling the US Navy’s MkVI Patrol Boat, outfitted with four JAGM Quad Launchers (JQLs). This vertical launch system allows the JAGM to be launched from medium and large surface vessels as well as tactical ground vehicles like the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The JAGM incorporates the warhead and “back-end” of the AGM-114R (HELLFIRE Romeo) and integrates additional multi-mode seekers, including a fire-and-forget millimeter wave (MMW) radar for engaging moving targets.

This capability enables it to quickly target multiple “slow-moving fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and UAS simultaneously,” according to company literature. Integrating the JQL on a surface vessel will represent the first instance of the JAGM being fired at sea. Currently, Lockheed’s retired AGM-114 Longbow Hellfire missile is used on LCS ships in the Middle East to target small surface craft, addressing the growing threats in that region.

Potential uses, a defense source told Breaking Defense, may include targeting uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operated by Iranian-backed groups against US and international naval vessels and commercial shipping in the Red Sea since last year. While media coverage of the JQL configuration began in 2020, the project had since slowed down. However, Patrick Sweeney, Lockheed’s senior manager for international business development, confirmed to Breaking Defense at the conference that the initiative is still progressing. 

Sweeney stated that the JAGM munition requires no hardware modifications for launching in a maritime setting, adding that "load exercises" have already been carried out with the JQL. “We are still in the development phase of the vertical launch capability and demonstrating to US DoD which is our near-term goal,” he noted. According to Lockheed documents, “JQL brings the JAGM family of missiles and M299 launcher to vehicles and surface ships using designs and technologies from the MK 41 Vertical Launching System.” The JQL currently includes two naval variants that can be integrated either above or below decks for patrol boats and frigates/corvettes, respectively. Lockheed Martin is also presenting the JAGM to international partners, including the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), in a bid to provide “certain levels in commonality” with the DoD, Sweeney added. 

By Naila Huseynova