The U.S. Marine Corps efficiently carried out validation and verification testing of the AGM-158A Joint Air-to-Floor Standoff Missile (JASSM) with its F/A-18 Hornet.
The exams occurred on August 27-28, 2024, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, with Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 11 and Marine Fighter Assault Squadron (VMFA) 232 enjoying a essential position within the operation.
“The mixing of the AGM-158A joint air-to-surface standoff missile into the F/A-18’s arsenal considerably enhances the Hornet’s capabilities, enabling it to strike targets from effectively past the attain of enemy air defenses,” mentioned Maj. Bradley Kirby, aviation ordnance officer with the third Marine Plane Wing.
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The AGM-158A JASSM, a stealthy, precision-guided cruise missile, has a variety of 230 miles, permitting it to strike high-value floor targets from a protected distance. First utilized in fight in 2018 by the U.S. Air Pressure, the JASSM was employed to destroy a Syrian chemical weapons facility, showcasing its effectiveness in real-world operations.
As a part of the testing, Marines with MALS-11 and VMFA-232 loaded an AGM-158A onto an F/A-18 to guage the missile’s loading procedures and guarantee compatibility with the plane’s {hardware} and software program methods. The method, led by skilled ordnance technicians and overseen by high quality assurance security observers (QASO), was meticulously executed to make sure the sleek integration of the missile into the Marine Corps’ arsenal.
“We wished to have as many munitions Marines take part as doable,” mentioned Employees Sgt. Holly Espinoza, munitions work heart supervisor with MALS-11. “It was a wonderful alternative not solely to be taught concerning the JASSM, but additionally how ordnance objects are loaded onto the plane.”
Sgt. Kaleb Bents, QASO with MALS-11, supervised the transportation and dealing with of the stay JASSM missile, whereas Employees Sgt. Elijah Gilbert of VMFA-232 led the missile loading and post-loading verification procedures. Utilizing a stay missile, versus a coaching spherical, made this operation significantly noteworthy, given the absence of JASSM coaching variants. This added an additional stage of consideration to element through the validation course of.
The Way forward for Marine Corps Strike Capabilities
With the profitable completion of the JASSM validation and verification, the missile is now on its solution to turning into a essential asset within the Marine Corps’ stock. Because the Marine Corps integrates fifth-generation fighter platforms just like the F-35, the addition of long-range precision-strike capabilities such because the AGM-158B prolonged vary missile and the AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missile will additional bolster the Corps’ capacity to function in contested environments.
“The JASSM not solely surpasses the capabilities of another weapon presently within the Hornet’s intensive weapons portfolio, but additionally the Marine Corps at massive,” Maj. Kirby added. “This added functionality will enormously improve third Marine Plane Wing’s capacity to assist the joint power and allow better freedom of maneuver throughout all operational domains.”
