GA-ASI and Kongsberg Advance JSM Integration on MQ-9B

Envanter Rapid News

GA-ASI and Kongsberg completed critical design reviews for integrating the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) onto the MQ-9B drone, moving closer to a maritime strike capability.

At a Glance

Joint Strike Missile (JSM) integration on the MQ-9B
Partners: GA-ASI (US) and Kongsberg (Norway)
Critical design reviews completed
Precision strike against sea and land targets from a drone

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Norway’s Kongsberg announced on 21 July 2026 that they had completed critical design reviews for integrating the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) onto the MQ-9B drone. The step brings the MQ-9B closer to a maritime strike capability.

The JSM is a cruise missile known for its low radar cross-section and precision maritime strike. Once integration is complete, the MQ-9B will be able to combine long endurance with strike missions against ship and land targets.

The MQ-9B and JSM Combination

The MQ-9B is a platform that performs long-range reconnaissance and surveillance as well as armed missions. Adding the JSM broadens the drone’s role from classic ISR toward maritime strike.

Kongsberg’s JSM is also integrated on the F-35; carrying it on the MQ-9B widens the missile’s platform range and eases common-munition use across allied inventories.

An Unmanned Trend in Maritime Strike

Navies are increasingly making unmanned platforms part of the kill chain. A long-endurance drone carrying a precision anti-ship missile opens a new capability layer for sea control and deterrence.

This development offers an expanding mission set for allied navies operating or evaluating the MQ-9B.

Why It Matters

The evolution of drones toward maritime strike aligns directly with the UAV ecosystem that Turkey has pioneered. Given the maritime and precision-strike capabilities of platforms like Bayraktar TB2, AKINCI and KIZILELMA, the MQ-9B-JSM integration is an important reference point in global competition.