WASHINGTON - The U.S. Air Force has awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace a $240.9 million contract for Lot 2 production of the Joint Strike Missile, continuing procurement of the F-35-compatible precision strike weapon designed for internal carriage in fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is based in Kongsberg, Norway.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded the firm-fixed-price contract for production missiles, launch containers, test hardware and associated support equipment. Work under the contract supports continued manufacture and delivery of the air-launched weapon system for U.S. Air Force F-35A operations.
The Joint Strike Missile is an air-launched derivative of the Naval Strike Missile family, adapted for internal carriage within the F-35A’s weapons bays. The configuration is intended to enable the aircraft to retain its low observable characteristics while carrying a stand-off precision strike weapon.
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Under the Lot 2 production award, the company will produce missile system rounds along with associated launch containers, test assets, and support equipment required for integration, testing, and operational use. The contract supports continued fielding of the weapon within the U.S. Air Force F-35 enterprise.
The Air Force did not disclose quantities of missiles or associated hardware covered under the award. Lot-based procurement generally supports incremental production as systems move through continued integration, testing, and operational fielding.
Joint Strike Missile background
The Joint Strike Missile incorporates a multi-mode guidance system that includes inertial navigation, satellite-aided navigation, and an imaging infrared seeker for terminal target acquisition. The system is also designed to operate at low altitude using sea-skimming and terrain-following flight profiles to support mission planning requirements in contested environments.
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Internal carriage requirements for the F-35A impose dimensional and aerodynamic constraints that influence missile design, including compact airframe configuration and integration with aircraft weapons and mission systems.
The Lot 2 award follows earlier procurement activity associated with the integration and qualification of the weapon system for F-35 operations. The production effort reflects continued transition toward sustained manufacture and delivery of the system for operational use.
The contract also includes the production of test hardware and support equipment, in addition to operational missiles, to support verification, integration, and evaluation activities within the broader F-35 weapons ecosystem.
The Joint Strike Missile is part of a broader class of stand-off precision strike weapons used by fifth-generation aircraft. Internally carried weapons are used to maintain the aircraft's low observable configuration while enabling engagement of targets at range.
As adversary air defense systems evolve, air forces continue to field precision strike weapons designed for use in contested environments, including configurations compatible with internal carriage requirements for stealth aircraft.
