The Long Range Missile Systems Group at Eglin AFB, Fla., and Lockheed Martin recently completed a successful first ground test of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range. According to the Eglin Eagle, the test at the new ground facility went flawlessly and gave the Air Force a good opportunity to monitor many of the missile’s subsystems in operation throughout the flight profile. USAF expects to field the JASSM-ER—with a range greater than 500 nautical miles compared to 200 NM for basic JASSM—on B-1B bombers in 2008. Developmental flight test is set for this spring.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.