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The US Department of War has signed a framework agreement with American defence prime Lockheed Martin to increase production of AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles and boost foreign military sales.
The Department of War, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, announced a new framework agreement to expand production capacity of critical next generation air-to-air missiles, the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile on September 17 this year.
The agreement is considered critical to ensuring long-term demand signals flow to key suppliers, allowing Lockheed Martin and the munitions supply chain to invest in manufacturing capacity, workforce, and production efficiencies.
JATM is compatible with a variety of Air Force and Navy aircraft including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
“Speed, scale, and stability drive acquisition excellence, and these gears must turn in unison,” said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.
“(This) announcement reflects our commitment to sending clear, long-term demand signals across the defence industrial base, ensuring our warfighters receive unmatched capability exactly when and where the mission demands.”
The agreement is linked to the expansion of the US Arsenal of Freedom effort under US President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s joint vision. It establishes a framework for future Multi-Year Procurement of JATM, executing congressional authority to secure the nation’s highest-priority missile systems.
Executed in direct support of the Department’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, the initiative reflects close collaboration among the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Munitions Acceleration Council, the Economic Defense Unit, the Navy, and the Air Force.
“This agreement builds on years of collaboration to deliver this critical air dominance capability to the warfighter,” said Tim Cahill, president, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
“We will deliver JATM at the speed our nation and allies demand while providing value for taxpayers and our shareholders.”
Australia recently announced a nearly $736 million investment to equip the Royal Australian Air Force with JATM. This agreement strengthens Australia’s air dominance, enhances interoperability, and provides a credible deterrent that supports the security of the United States and its allies.
This article originally appeared on Australian Aviation sister publication, Defence Connect.
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