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Lockheed Martin has officially launched AGM-158 eXtreme Range (XR) cruise missile, an evolution of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile currently on order for service with the Royal Australian Air Force.
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Unveiled by Lockheed Martin at the US Air Force Association 2024 National Convention in response to the growing advancement and proliferation of anti-access/area denial and advanced air defence umbrellas across the European and Indo-Pacific theatres, the new AGM-158XR is designed to provide much needed range to the US and its allies.
Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158XR concept draws on the design pedigree, experience and expertise developed over the two decades of development and manufacturing of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile Extended Range (currently to be fielded by the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fleet).
The company has designed the AGM-158XR to draw upon the mature JASSM and LRASM production line, established supply chain, mission planning and software infrastructure, and by implementing a few structural changes, XR can significantly reduce development and production time.
While not officially on order with the US Air Force or the broader US military as yet, the XR solution provides the warfighter a 1,000-pound (+450 kg) warhead in a low observable missile capability with an extreme stand-off range in mass quantities, while maintaining compatibility with the same platforms that JASSM and LRASM have today, including the F/A-18 and the soon to be added F-35.
