AGM-650 JASSSM

AGM-650 Joint Air-to-Surface Stealth Standoff Missile
File:Jassm large.PNG
Type	Air-to-surface cruise missile
Place of origin	Aquitayne
Service history
In service	2011–present
Used by	Aquitaynian Air Force
Production history
Manufacturer	Freyport Armory
Unit cost	NSD$1.2m (JASSSM) NSD$1.752m (JASSSM-ER) NSD$2.1m (JASSSM-CHAMP NSD$1.437 JASSSM-LRASM)(FY15)
Produced	2008-present
Specifications
Weight	1021 kg (2250 lb)
Length	4.27 m (14 ft)
Warhead	450 kg (1000 lb) WDU-42/B penetrator
Engine	Teledyne CAE J402-CA-100 turbojet 3.0 kN (680 lb)
Wingspan	2.4 m (7 ft 11 in)
Operational range	370+ km (230 mi) [JASSSM/JASSSM-CHAMP] 925km (575 mi) [JASSSM-ER]
Speed	Mach 0.95
Guidance system	Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided inertial navigation system (INS), terminal infrared homing automatic target recognition
Launch platform	Integrated: F-29 Warrior GM-25 Cuirassier M.Cs 82 Illusion (all variants)

The AGM-650 JASSSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Stealth Standoff Missile) is a low-observable standoff air-launched cruise missile developed in Aquitayne. It is a large, mostly stealthy long-range weapon of the 2,000 pounds (910 kg) class. The missile's development began in 2005, but budget setbacks as well as difficulties finding affordable solutions delayed production of the missile until 2008. In 2011, the Aquitaynian Air Force approved the missile for full production, and it has been in service since that time. An extended-range version of the missile was developed for Aquitayne's ally, Riysa, and entered service in 2015.

Program overview

The JASSSM program began in 1999 when Aquitayne began to reinvest and increase annual spending in its military, viewing a long-standing absence from international politics at an end. The overall goal of the missile program was to develop a highly advanced and flexible cruise missile platform that could be launched from aircraft currently or expected to be in use with the Aquitaynian Air Force through 2050. The original program was cut in 2004 after budget restraints deposed of the program. However, in 2007, the program was re-launched with Ministry of Defense officials at the head of the program, with similar goals as the first program.

Design

The AGM-650 JASSSM is powered by a Teledyne CAE J702 turbojet designed for cruise missiles and small unmanned aerial drones. This engine provides optimal speeds for the JASSSM's weight class, and produces 3.0 kN of thrust. The missile has two canard-wings attached to the main body of the projectile, which fold down for storage when not in-use and when still attached to the air frame of an aircraft. Once the missile is deployed off of an aircraft, the wings extend automatically to a 45 degree angle, to provide for stable flight and maneuverability as well as a low-profile to minimize its radar cross-section.

Guidance for the missile is provided mostly through inertial navigation with consistent updates from an encrypted global positioning system data link, which can be utilized in two main functions: the first is if a target is static, and its location is known through various intelligence mediums (most likely satellite), and the missile is targeted for a latitude and longitudinal coordinate. The second method of deployment is for non-static targets or targets who's location isn't exactly known; through this method, the aircraft and other AWACS systems can update the missile's target destination (up to roughly 10 km away) to provide for a flexible assault platform that can engage multiple types of threats.The data link allows the missile to transmit its location and status during flight, allowing improved bomb damage assessment.

Guidance is also accomplished through infrared homing automatic target recognition technologies. This allows the JASSSM to accurately engage targets via heat signatures as well as known enemy electronic systems, vehicles, and staging areas. The infrared homing aspect of this guidance system targets heat signatures that constitute buildings, heavy vehicles, or ships, that the JASSSM can lock onto and engage with deadly accuracy. The automatic target recognition software is an algorithmic function that targets objects based on data obtained from sensors. This system also allows the JASSSM to lock onto radio signals being sent from surface-to-air missile systems via the automated targeting algorithm, which makes it highly effective as an anti-anti-air weapons system.

The main warhead included in the base AGM-650 JASSSM is a 1,000 pound (450kg)WDU-42/B penetrator. This warhead is designed to withhold detonation until a target building or structure has been breached. This allows the cruise missile to use its kinetic energy to punch through any reinforced concrete or building structures and then detonate the warhead once the missile is inside the building or structure itself, providing for deadlier engagements and more devastating strikes. The JASSSM can be carried on a wide variety of aircraft, most notably within the Aquitaynian Air Force is the F-29 Warrior, the M.Cs 82 Illusion, and the GM-25 Cuirassier. The JASSSM-ER is designed for launch from strategic bombers, but Aquitayne currently does not utilize any.

The body of the missile is angular in nature; that is, unlike most missiles, it is not a cylindrical shape. Rather, the missile is shaped in more of a triangular format with its nose being flat and offset to either side to reflect radio waves away from the receiver. Likewise, the missile's bottom is relatively flat, and it angles inward on the sides to create a triangular shape, which assists in providing a low-observable figure from radar systems. To supplement this, the AGM-650 JASSSM utilizes unconventional stealth measure techniques. Unlike most stealth aircraft that utilize radar-absorbing metallic paints on the frames of aircraft, like the F-22 Raptor, the AGM-650 JASSSM utilizes a new fiber mat integrated into the structural composite in a similar style to the F-35 Lightning II. This design is taken directly from Aquitayne's involvement in the Emmerian Joint Development Program of the F-29 Warrior, where this type of stealth technology was utilized. The fiber mat requires far less maintenance than previous RAM, and weighs significantly less, which assists in keeping the speed of the missile excellent.

Additionally, the JASSSM is also developed to take infrared detection measures into account. Though it is impossible to completely remove the missile from infrared detection measure's systems, it is possible to reduce the severity on which it appears on them. Air friction is extremely high when flying at such high speeds, and measures were taken to reduce the heat that the missile creates. Insulation within the missiles components section reduces both the heat the circuits take from the outside air frame of the missile but also reduce the amount of heat the interior of the missile gives off, assisting to lower its heat signature. Additionally, the body of the aircraft is made of mostly non-metallic materials, which also assist to reduce its heat signature.

Even still, most infrared-seeking missiles can lock on to the missile, however most IIR missiles do not have the speed or maneuverability characteristics to accurately target, engage, and destroy the JASSSm when it is at terminal velocity en-route to its designated target.

Variants

AGM-650B (LRASM)

The JASSSM LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) is also based on the chassis of the JASSSM-ER, and is equipped with a new seeker that is designed to target enemy warships or freight ships. The JASSSM LRASM has almost identical compatibility with the JASSSM-ER, but has a slight software difference, with the system being roughly 85% compatible. This mostly includes different targeting methods, software algorithms and trajectory adjustments, as well as flight altitudes to help the missile avoid radar detection. The LRASM currently is in use in all three of Aquitayne's carrier strike groups, with the M.Cs 82 Illusion air frames. The Aquitaynian Navy expects to have all F-29 air wings equipped with the JASSSM-LRASM by mid to late 2017.

The main differences between the LRASM and the base JASSSM system is the addition of sensors and flight modes. The missile incorporates a multimode frequency sensor, new data-link processors, more accurate altimeters, and an updated and more efficient power system. It can be directed to attack enemy ships by its launch platform, receive updates via its datalink, or use on board sensors to find its target. The JASSSM-LRASM will fly towards its target at medium altitude then drop to low altitude for a sea skimming approach to counter anti-missile defenses. The range of the LRASM is somewhat shorter than the regular JASSSM and JASSSM-ER, due to its heavier weight from additional components which slightly reduce its maximum engagement range. Its current range sits at 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi).

AGM-650C (JASSSM-ER)

The JASSSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface Stealth Strike Missile Extended Range) is a variant of the base AGM-650 JASSSM that allows the missile to be launched from further distances from the target areas. The JASSSM-ER features a more efficient engine and larger fuel volume in an air frame with the same external dimensions as the JASSSM, meaning that the missile's range was extended to over 575 miles (925 km) as compared to the base JASSSM's range of about 230 miles (370 km). Currently, the JASSSM-ER is not in use with all Aquitaynian air wings, as currently only the M.Cs 82 Illusion has been upgraded with the necessary pylons to equip the JASSSM-ER. The F-29 and GM-25 require re-working their internal weapons bays (IWP's), which has delayed the development and deployment of the JASSSM-ER to almost half of the Aquitaynian Air Force. Recently, however, officials have stated that they believe the internal weapons bays of the F-29 and the GM-25 will be compatible with the JASSSM-ER by early 2017.

AGM-650D (JASSSM-CHAMP)

The AGM-650D JASSSM-CHAMP (Joint Air-to-Surface Stealth Strike Missile - Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project) is a variant of the base AGM-650 JASSSM that is designed to target electronic signals rather than physical targets. The JASSSM-CHAMP utilizes functions from the Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project that provide for an effective and increasingly accurate platform to engage electronic signals and destroy them without ever having to physically strike a structure. This method is highly favorable in urban environments where a strategic strike would likely result in the deaths of many civilians.

The CHAMP system is an electronic warfare technology that destroys electronics through high-power microwave energy, non-kinetically destroying them. This type attack method is superior to other electronic warfare methods because this system destroys electronics rather than simply jamming them, which only temporarily disrupts the target systems and which can be brought back online when it stops being applied. For the most part, the JASSSM-CHAMP is a directed-energy weapon, that flies over a target area and destroys the source of up to 100 electronic signals in a single sortie. This system is also equipped with a self-destruct function; meaning that once the missile has flown over a target area and completed its sortie, it will self-destruct with on-board explosives located near the electronic components to preserve the secret nature of the missile's stealth systems as well as its highly advanced electronic systems.

The JASSSM-CHAMP is mounted on the chassis of the JASSSM-ER, giving it the capability of engaging serious electronic threats from stand-off distances, such as the S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

Operators

Aquitayne

• JASSSM
• JASSSM-ER
• JASSSM-LRASM
• JASSSM-CHAMP

Specifications

AGM-650 JASSSM

• Length: 4.27 m (14 ft)
• Wingspan: 2.4 m (7 ft 11 in)
• Weight: 975 kg (2,150 lb)
• Speed: Subsonic
• Range: 370 km (230 mi)
• Propulsion: Teledyne CAE J402-CA-100 turbojet; thrust 3.0 kN (680 lbf)
• Fuel: JP10 fuel
• Warhead: 450 kg (1000 lb) WDU-42/B penetrator
• Production unit cost: $1,200,000
• Total program cost: $3,600,000,000
• Production dates: 2008–present

AGM-650B LRASM

• Speed: Subsonic
• Range: 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi).
• Production unit cost: $1,437,000
• Propulsion: Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan
• Production dates: 2011–present

AGM-650C JASSSM-ER

• Speed: Subsonic
• Range: 925km (575 mi)
• Production unit cost: $1,752,000
• Propulsion: Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan
• Production dates: 2011–present

AGM-650D JASSSM-CHAMP

• Speed: Subsonic
• Range: 925km (575 mi)
• Production unit cost: $2,100,000
• Propulsion: Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan
• Production dates: 2015–present