WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The War Department and Lockheed signed a framework agreement to prepare for expanded AIM-260 production and a possible multiyear purchase.
- Lockheed plans to invest its own money in capacity before receiving missile orders.
- The AIM-260 is intended to outrange and eventually replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
- Australia became the first export customer and plans to field JATM on three aircraft types.
- Thursday’s releases disclosed neither a production rate nor a dollar value for the framework.
The U.S. War Department and Lockheed Martin signed a framework agreement Thursday intended to expand production of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, known as JATM.
The move establishes groundwork for a potential multiyear purchase of the classified long range air to air weapon.
The agreement is not a contract and does not constitute an order for missiles.
Instead, officials characterized it as a demand signal designed to give Lockheed and its suppliers justification to invest in production capacity, workforce growth and greater manufacturing efficiency.
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Any multiyear purchase would still require congressional authorization and funding.
If lawmakers approve and finance such a buy, the objective is to have production lines prepared before the resulting orders arrive.
“Speed, scale, and stability drive acquisition excellence, and these gears must turn in unison,” Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said in the release.
“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to sending clear, long-term demand signals across the defense industrial base.”
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The framework provides Lockheed and its supplier network with an official indication of expected future demand, even though no production contract accompanied Thursday’s announcement.
That distinction leaves the actual purchase dependent on further government action while allowing industrial preparations to begin.
Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said the company will put its own money into expanding production capacity before receiving any orders.
The commitment reflects Lockheed’s effort to position its manufacturing operation for a rapid increase if the government proceeds with a multiyear purchase.
“JATM is one of our nation’s most important air dominance capabilities, but because of the classified nature of the program, it’s also a story we haven’t been able to tell,” Cahill said in a statement reported by Reuters.
“We’re proud to finally talk about the extraordinary work behind this missile and how we’re working with the U.S. government to rapidly scale production.”
Lockheed has been developing JATM for the U.S. Air Force and Navy.
The AIM-260 is intended to outrange and eventually replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM, giving the services a new weapon for air combat at greater distances.
The company said the AIM-260 provides greater range and effectiveness than the air to air weapons currently fielded by the United States.
Public estimates place its range at more than 120 miles, and the missile was developed as a response to longer range Chinese weapons such as the PL-15.
The missile is sized to fit inside the internal weapons bays of fifth generation fighters, including the F-22 and F-35.
It must provide the added range while maintaining a footprint no larger than the AMRAAM that it is intended to replace.
The first public images of the AIM-260 were taken May 13. Aviation photographer Jonathan Tweedy photographed one of the missiles loaded on a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and The Aviationist published the photograph two days later.
Lockheed also connected the production framework to foreign military sales. Australia announced Aug. 6 that it would invest approximately $520 million USD, or $736 million AU, to purchase JATM for the Royal Australian Air Force, making it the missile’s first export customer.
The Royal Australian Air Force plans to integrate the missile first on its F/A-18F Super Hornets.
It then plans to add the weapon to its F-35A Lightning IIs and EA-18G Growlers.
Australia’s announced investment represents only part of the amount authorized by the United States.
In March, the United States approved a potential sale to Australia covering as many as 450 missiles and associated test articles, with the package valued at $3.16 billion.
Some earlier framework agreements reached with Lockheed in 2026 included publicly disclosed production goals.
Thursday’s releases, however, did not provide a production rate for JATM or identify a dollar value for the framework.
For now, the agreement’s immediate effect is to signal demand rather than place an order. Lockheed’s planned investment is aimed at expanding capacity before congressional authorization and funding determine whether the anticipated multiyear missile purchase moves forward.
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