AGM-169 JCM
Encyclopedia
The AGM-169 Joint Common Missile (JCM) was a tactical air-to-surface missile
developed by the Lockheed Martin
corporation from the United States
.
and AGM-65 Maverick
. Its seeker head used a combination of semi-active laser, millimeter wave, and IR guidance similar to that found on the FGM-148 Javelin
anti-tank missile. This allows the missile to have a greater fire and forget capability and to operate off all current air platforms. The missile has longer range, a more potent warhead, and a "safing" system, allowing naval aircraft to return to ship without jettisoning the munitions.
This missile also shares similarities to the MBDA Brimstone missile
.
The JCM is the first missile to reach milestone B decision without a live test.
The JCM has been test flown on the AH-64D in a captive test configuration.
In May 2007 the U.S. Army formally brought the program to a close and requested that Lockheed Martin cease all development work. It is expected that a follow on program, the Joint Air to Ground Missile
(JAGM) will be opened to competitive tender.
, United States Navy
, and United States Marine Corps
.
Air-to-surface missile
An air-to-surface missile is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft and strike ground targets on land, at sea, or both...
developed by the Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
corporation from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Overview
The missile was designed to replace the AGM-114 HellfireAGM-114 Hellfire
The AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile developed primarily for anti-armor use. It has multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike capability, and can be launched from multiple air, sea, and ground platforms. The Hellfire missile is the primary 100 lb-class air-to-ground precision...
and AGM-65 Maverick
AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close-air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities....
. Its seeker head used a combination of semi-active laser, millimeter wave, and IR guidance similar to that found on the FGM-148 Javelin
FGM-148 Javelin
The FGM-148 Javelin is a United States-made man-portable third generation anti-tank missile fielded to replace the Dragon antitank missile.-Overview:Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance...
anti-tank missile. This allows the missile to have a greater fire and forget capability and to operate off all current air platforms. The missile has longer range, a more potent warhead, and a "safing" system, allowing naval aircraft to return to ship without jettisoning the munitions.
This missile also shares similarities to the MBDA Brimstone missile
Brimstone missile
Brimstone is an air-launched anti-tank missile developed by MBDA for Britain's Royal Air Force. It was originally intended for "fire and forget" use against mass formations of enemy armour, using a millimetre wave seeker to ensure accuracy even against moving targets...
.
Development
The development of the missile was first halted in December 2004. The program was on schedule and within its budget at that time, according to Lockheed Martin. However, due to the constraints of the war in Iraq, funding was cut. In 2005 and 2006, Congress began looking into reviving the program when it was found that modernizing the Hellfire would yield higher costs and reduced capability.The JCM is the first missile to reach milestone B decision without a live test.
The JCM has been test flown on the AH-64D in a captive test configuration.
In May 2007 the U.S. Army formally brought the program to a close and requested that Lockheed Martin cease all development work. It is expected that a follow on program, the Joint Air to Ground Missile
Joint Air to Ground Missile
The Joint Air-to-Ground Missile is a U.S. military program to develop an air-to-surface missile to replace the current BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-65 Maverick missiles...
(JAGM) will be opened to competitive tender.
Program status
- December 2004 - Pentagon announces cancellation of JCM.
- March 2005 - Congressional lobbying to keep the program alive.
- September 2005 - Captive JCM test package flown on AH-64D Apache.
- January 2006 - Congress restores $30 million to keep the program in mothballs.
- September 2006 - U.S. Army includes $150 million for JCM in FY-08 budget request.
- May 2007 - The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command formally instructs Lockheed Martin to cease work on the program and close out the contract by June 15, 2007.
Operators
- The AGM-169 was intended for joint service with the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, and United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.
See also
- AGM-114 HellfireAGM-114 HellfireThe AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile developed primarily for anti-armor use. It has multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike capability, and can be launched from multiple air, sea, and ground platforms. The Hellfire missile is the primary 100 lb-class air-to-ground precision...
- PARS 3 LR
- Brimstone missileBrimstone missileBrimstone is an air-launched anti-tank missile developed by MBDA for Britain's Royal Air Force. It was originally intended for "fire and forget" use against mass formations of enemy armour, using a millimetre wave seeker to ensure accuracy even against moving targets...
- Precision Attack Air-to-Surface MissilePrecision Attack Air-to-Surface MissileThe Precision Attack Air-to-Surface Missile is a weapon system currently under development by Raytheon which is designed to defeat armored vehicles, buildings, hardened bunkers and small naval targets...