Lockheed Martin announced Monday that it has delivered the 1,000th joint air-to-surface standoff missile to the Air Force. The company handed over this missile, a Lot 7 production unit, during a rollout ceremony at the Lockheed manufacturing facility in Troy, Ala. “This milestone shows the resolve of Lockheed Martin employees to deliver top quality products to our customers,” said Alan Jackson, the company’s JASSM program director. He added that the company has “overcome challenges” and “accommodated new requirements” along the way and is “delivering a precision weapon that provides unparalleled capabilities.” Lockheed is under contract so far for eight lots of JASSMs. Overall, the Air Force intends to procure roughly 5,000 of them, which will be both in a baseline and extended-range configuration.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3