US Air Force Awards Kongsberg $240.9M for Joint Strike Missile Lot 2
The US Air Force has committed $240.9 million to Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for the second production lot of the Joint Strike Missile — a weapon that occupies a unique and increasingly critical niche in Western strike arsenals: it is the only missile currently designed to fit inside the F-35’s internal weapons bay while delivering dual-role anti-ship and land-attack capability at operationally relevant range. The contract was awarded June 6, 2026, covering operational missiles, launch containers, test hardware, and support equipment. Production runs through November 2028 at Kongsberg’s Norwegian facility.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract Value | $240.9 million (USD) |
| Contracting Authority | US Air Force |
| Contractor | Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace |
| Production Site | Kongsberg, Norway |
| Delivery Deadline | November 2028 |
| Designation | AGM-184A Joint Strike Missile (JSM) |
Why JSM Is Different
An F-35 carrying weapons externally surrenders its stealth signature. JSM solves this by fitting internally. The missile achieves effective range exceeding 200 nautical miles depending on flight profile — enough to strike targets from standoff distances beyond most modern integrated air defense systems. The dual-role capability means a commander doesn’t need to choose a loadout based on anticipated threat type. In May 2026, Germany announced its own JSM acquisition: NOK 3.5 billion (~$320M) for the Bundeswehr’s incoming F-35A fleet.
