Norwegian-made missiles will enhance F-35 stealth fighters with anti-ship and land-attack capabilities through 2028 production deal.
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace a $240 million contract for the second production batch of Joint Strike Missiles designed for its F-35A stealth fighters.
The contract, dated Dec. 15, covers all-up rounds with containers, test hardware and support items, according to a contract notification. Production work will be performed in Norway and is scheduled to run through November 2028.
The JSM provides the Air Force with a stand-off strike weapon suitable for both anti-ship and land-attack missions. The missiles have a range exceeding 150 nautical miles and are designed for internal carriage by the F-35A, allowing the fighter to maintain its stealth profile while carrying weapons.
The Air Force did not disclose the number of missiles included in the Lot 2 order.
This contract represents a significant increase from the service’s first JSM production order. The Lot 1 contract, placed in May 2024, was valued at $141 million with deliveries scheduled through August 2026.
The Air Force’s acquisition of the JSM is part of a broader international adoption of the weapon system. Germany announced a $645 million order for the missiles in June 2025 for integration with its incoming F-35A fleet. The number of rounds included in Germany’s order was not disclosed.
Kongsberg’s contracted customers for the JSM include Australia, Japan and Norway in addition to the United States and Germany. The weapon’s ability to be carried internally by the F-35 makes it particularly valuable for operations requiring the aircraft to penetrate contested airspace while maintaining its low-observable characteristics.
The JSM’s dual-capability design allows F-35 pilots to engage both maritime and ground targets without changing weapons loads, providing operational flexibility for missions ranging from naval strike to land-attack.
Key Takeaways
- The Air Force awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace $240 million for Lot 2 Joint Strike Missile production, with work extending through November 2028.
- The missiles provide F-35As with a 150+ nautical mile strike range while maintaining stealth through internal carriage.
- This represents a 70% increase from the $141 million Lot 1 order placed in May 2024.
- International customers include Germany, Australia, Japan, and Norway, with Germany placing a $645 million order in June 2025.
