Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has secured a significant contract with the US Air Force (USAF), valued at $141 million (~$212 million), for the initial lot of Kongsberg-Raytheon Joint Strike Missiles (JSM). The contract will extend through August 2026 and includes an undisclosed number of JSM rounds, containers, and test equipment.
According to a 2023 USAF contracting notice, the service plans to purchase 48 JSMs in the current fiscal year, 50 in fiscal year 2025, and 54 in fiscal year 2026. This contract likely encompasses some or all of these planned procurements.
BAE Systems Australia is a crucial supplier for the JSM, providing a passive radio frequency sensor integral to the missile rounds. The development collaboration between Australia and Norway began in earnest in 2015, building on a 2013 contract awarded to BAE Systems Australia by the Australian Defence Force. Despite its role in development, Australia has yet to place an order for the missile, which is compatible with Block 4 F-35A and C aircraft.
The 2024 Integrated Investment Plan (IIP) mentions that the Australian Defence Force is considering integrating the Joint Strike Missile with the F-35A, though no definitive orders have been made.
This contract represents a major step for Kongsberg and Raytheon, as well as a significant enhancement of the USAF’s missile capabilities.