Lockheed Martin has unveiled details of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), a next-generation air-to-air weapon developed to counter increasingly sophisticated aerial threats from China.
The disclosure comes as the US Department of Defense moves to accelerate production of the missile under a new framework agreement with Lockheed Martin, amid efforts to replenish depleted US and allied weapons stockpiles following the war in Iran.
The AIM-260 has been developed largely in secrecy for several years as the US military seeks to strengthen its ability to counter advanced long-range aerial threats.
Lockheed Martin said the missile is designed to deliver greater range and effectiveness than existing air-to-air weapons, providing US forces with an advanced capability against sophisticated fighter aircraft, including China’s J-20.
The weapon is intended for deployment on advanced US stealth aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said the AIM-260 represents a critical capability for US air dominance, while its classified status had previously prevented the company from discussing the programme publicly.
“JATM ranks among our nation’s most critical air dominance capabilities,” Cahill said, adding that Lockheed Martin was working to rapidly scale up production of the missile.
The weapon first appeared in publicly available images in May, providing an early glimpse of a programme that had remained largely undisclosed.
Australia has also announced plans to acquire the AIM-260 through the US Foreign Military Sales programme. The country said in August that it would invest almost A$736 million in the capability, although the number of missiles and their individual prices have not been disclosed.
The new framework agreement is expected to pave the way for a multiyear procurement contract, subject to congressional approval, while supporting further investment in the defence industrial base responsible for producing the missile.
Goodness Anunobi
Follow us on:
