Kongsberg has received an approximately $240.9-million contract from the US Air Force for the second production batch of Joint Strike Missiles (JSM), marking another major milestone in the program’s expansion. The contract covers complete missile systems, storage and transportation containers, testing hardware, and related support equipment, with manufacturing to be conducted in Norway through November 2028.
The latest award follows the company’s initial Lot 1 production contract signed with the USAF in May 2024, reflecting continued confidence in the missile’s operational capabilities and growing demand among F-35 operators.
An air-launched derivative of the Naval Strike Missile, the JSM is specifically designed for the F-35A Lightning II and provides long-range precision strike capability against land and maritime targets. The missile is approximately 13 feet long, weighs about 917 pounds, and can be carried internally within the F-35’s weapons bay, ensuring the aircraft retains its low-observable stealth profile.
With an operational range exceeding 217 miles (350 kilometers) and high subsonic flight performance, the JSM significantly enhances the F-35’s stand-off strike reach. The weapon has also been selected by multiple allied nations operating the F-35, including Japan, Belgium, Germany, and Norway, with Japan receiving its first delivery of the missile in early 2026.
