Lockheed Unveils Longer-Range AGM-158XR

Lockheed Martin wants to add even more range to its AGM-158 cruise missile, extending the missile itself to add more fuel in what it is calling the AGM-158XR.

Unveiled Sept. 16 at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, the missile features a “significant increase” in the range compared to the AGM-158D Joint Air to Surface Missile-Extended Range and the AGM-158C3 Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, though the specific distance could not be provided.

Michael Rothstein, the vice president of strategy and requirements for air weapons and sensors at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, told reporters that the AGM-158XR is planned to be “one jump ahead” of the existing Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) systems on contract. The design is modular, meaning it can be adapted for either the JASSM or LRASM missions.

The only major change on the missile itself is extending its length to provide more fuel, Rothstein says. There are “a couple minor changes” otherwise, but it is designed to be produced on the existing lines that make the JASSM and LRASM to keep costs low.

Because of the increased length, the missile cannot be carried on Lockheed Martin F-16s. But it is compatible with other aircraft that carry the existing missiles, including Boeing F-15s and F/A-18s and Lockheed Martin F-35s.

The company is spending its own money on early development, targeting a potential test flight in the next couple years, he says.

At the same time, Lockheed Martin is increasing production capacity for the LRASM and JASSM. The company’s two production facilities in Troy, Alabama, are currently producing at a rate of about 720 missiles per year. This is a significant increase from 550 a few years ago, and the company is targeting a rate of 1,100 per year to meet domestic and international demand.