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The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile built by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control successfully performed its first development test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in January. It was the first flight using a seeker to guide to a target. Launched from a US Air Force F-16 flying at Mach 0.80 and 15,000 feet above the New Mexico desert, the JASSM cruise missile successfully separated from the aircraft, deployed its wings and tail, and started its engine. After weapon release, the missile navigated via predetermined waypoints and descended to a selected altitude above ground level for target ingress. JASSM is designed to give Air Force and Navy pilots long-range standoff capability against a wide array of high value, heavily defended targets. |
