Kongsberg Gruppen : Successful test of the JSM

An important milestone has now been achieved, with the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) passing the last of its scheduled tests in the missile qualification programme. The development of the JSM is now in its final phase and is scheduled for completion in autumn 2018.

'This is very good news for the Norwegian Armed Forces and Norwegian industry. We now have to integrate the Norwegian JSM with the F-35 in what is known as the Block-4 update', says Program Director Morten Klever of the Ministry of Defence.

This is scheduled to be completed in order to allow the JSM to be integrated and ready for the Norwegian F-35 when the system is fully operational.

'The JSM is the world's only fifth-generation missile with advanced capabilities which meet the operational needs of both the Norwegian Armed Forces and other nations, now and in the future. The most recent test in March this year was successful, and the development process is on schedule for completion by the end of the year', says Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG.

'The JSM programme and deliveries to the F-35 means significant value creation and technology development for KONGSBERG and our national and international suppliers and partners. Norway has a leading international position in long-range precision weapons, and has developed and strengthened its already close partnership with American industry through this programme', says Geir Håøy.

Technical integration of the JSM in F-35 combat aircraft

The development of the JSM is in its final phase and is scheduled for completion with its Final Design Review (FDR), expected to take place in June. The integration of JSM in the aircraft is vital if Norway is to be fully operational with the F-35 in 2025.

The JSM will ensure that the Norwegian F-35 has a real ability to deliver fire against every type of well-defended land- and marine-based target (military surface vessels).

As a part of the development of the missile, a Legacy Flight Test Programme was carried out, during which a number of missiles were dropped in order to qualify the missile in preparation for integration with the F-35.

Missiles have been released from an American F-16 aircraft at the Utah Test &Training Range as part of a test programme running between 2015 and 2018. The most recent tests were completed in March of this year, with the seeker, warhead and ignition chain all installed in the missile. The test was conducted on a land-based target, with a successful result.

Once development is complete, the Norwegian Armed Forces will acquire a number of test missiles to be used for integration with the F-35 in what is known as the Block-4 update. The integration of the JSM will be managed by the Joint Program Office (JPO) in cooperation with the main supplier Lockheed Martin.

Several of the other nations that will be procuring F-35s have similar operational needs to Norway, and have shown considerable interest in the JSM.

Close industrial cooperation between Norway and the United States

The Government considers it of great importance to continue and develop the partnership between the Norwegian and American industries in terms of acquiring new fighter planes. In the long term, the goal of the industrial partnership is to ensure national value creation corresponding to the acquisition cost of the planes.

Norwegian participation in the development phase has given the Norwegian industry the opportunity to compete to participate in the production of plane and engines, and so far has resulted in contracts worth around NOK 4.1 billion. As production increases, there will be significant potential for new contracts with American suppliers.

Interview with Vice Admiral Matheus W. Winter, while visiting the facilities where KONGSBERG produce parts for the F-35 fighter aircraft and the fuselage of the JSM missile.

The Ministry of Defence considers it of great importance for both the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and APEX (25-mm cannon ammunition) to be integrated in the F-35 in order to meet our operational needs, while this will also open up opportunities for Norwegian industry in the export market.