The first production lot of the extended range variant of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile was delivered to Dyess AFB, Texas, last month, following nine years of testing, states an April 8 release. The stealthy cruise missile can reach targets more than two and half times farther than the JASSM, enabling forces to neutralize targets while minimizing risk. “The initial delivery of the extended range variant of JASSM gives the combatant commander the ability to reach far deeper into contested areas with lethal precision,” said Maj. Gen. Scott Jansson, Air Force program executive officer for weapons. JASSM and JASSM-ER share 70 percent of the same hardware and 90 percent of software. Only the B-1B bomber carries JASSM-ER, but USAF officials are considering equipping the F-15E, F-16, and B-52 to carry it, states the release. (See also JASSM-ER Completes Initial Operational Capability Flight Testing and More Extended-Range JASSMs.)
The U.S. thwarted a drone attack on U.S. forces at Al Asad air base in western Iraq on April 22, marking the first time that American troops have been targeted since February, U.S. officials said. “We can confirm it was an attack on Al Asad,” a defense official told Air & Space…