A 301-million-dollar agreement includes weapons, technical support, testing and cryptographic equipment to integrate the missile into Italian F-35 fighters
Italy has taken a significant step in strengthening its strategic strike capability by requesting from the United States the purchase of 100 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER cruise missiles, a long-range weapon compatible with the stealth F-35 fighter. The U.S. Department of State has approved the transaction, valued at 301 million dollars, and officially notified Congress through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
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According to the official notification, in addition to the missiles, the package includes classified test equipment, containers, KGV-135A cryptographic devices, spare parts, supplies, software, technical documentation, transport, and engineering services provided by the U.S. government and contractors. The agreement also provides ongoing support to ensure full integration of the weapon into Italy’s combat platforms.
Range of up to 1,000 km and high precision
The AGM-158B JASSM-ER is one of the most advanced air-to-surface missiles in the Western arsenal. With a range exceeding 1,000 km, it allows launch aircraft to remain outside the reach of enemy air defenses, expanding Italy’s strategic strike and deterrence capabilities.
The missile measures 4.27 meters in length, has a 2.4-meter wingspan and weighs approximately 1,021 kg. Its 450-kg penetrating high-explosive warhead is capable of neutralizing fortified targets such as bunkers, command centers and critical infrastructure.
The guidance system combines GPS, inertial navigation and infrared seeker technology, ensuring accuracy with margins of error as low as three meters.
Lockheed Martin will be responsible for manufacturing
The program’s main contractor will be Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the manufacturer of the JASSM-ER missiles. The company will be responsible for production as well as the technical support required for integration and operation of the weapon.
With this new acquisition, Italy strengthens its long-range combat capability and consolidates the modernization of its fifth-generation aircraft fleet.
Source and images: Lockheed Martin | DSCA. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
