The Lockheed Martin Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) successfully completed its sixth flight demonstration in a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The JASSM-ER program is now six for six flight test successes.

"JASSM-ER's test successes are a result of a dedicated team effort," said Col. Stephen Demers, JASSM Program Manager and 308th Armament Systems Group Commander. "We've built an impressive missile with an unrivaled capability for our Warfighters."

During the latest successful flight test, the missile was released from a B-1B aircraft and flew a preplanned course to collect data, and then destroyed the designated target.

"The JASSM-ER flight test confirmed the missile's ability to be employed from the aft weapons bay of the B-1B," said Randy Bigum, vice president of Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The flight test also completed performance data collection that may be used to fine-tune navigation algorithms."

JASSM-ER will continue integrated flight testing through mid-2010 in preparation for Operational Test and Evaluation, which will commence in 2011. A low-rate initial production decision is anticipated in 2011.

The JASSM-ER brings the same powerful capabilities as the baseline JASSM, but increases range to greater than 500 nautical miles. The additional range provided by the JASSM-ER missile benefits the Warfighter with responsive, precision-engagement capability, while remaining clear of highly defended airspace and beyond the range of long-range, surface-to-air missiles. The JASSM-ER maintains the same outer mold line, survivability and lethality of the baseline JASSM missile.

A 2,000-pound class weapon with a dual-mode penetrator and blast fragmentation warhead, JASSM cruises autonomously in adverse weather, day or night, using a state-of-the-art infrared seeker in addition to the enhanced digital anti-jam Global Positioning System receiver to find a specific aimpoint on the target. Its stealthy airframe makes it extremely difficult for air defense systems to engage. The JASSM-ER missile is integrated on the B-1B with Initial Operational Capability planned for early 2013. The JASSM-ER design is compatible with the B-2, B-52, and F-16 aircraft that currently deploy JASSM.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin