Page 23 - Leverage and Learn

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

In April 2017, the Australian Department of Defence signed on with Kongsberg to work on the JSM.

According to Australian Aviation:
Kongsberg Defence Systems has entered into a contract with Defence for the integration of a new capability in the
Joint Strike Missile (JSM) worth the equivalent of $23 million.

The unique, state-of-the-art radio frequency (RF) seeker sensor developed by BAE Systems Australia will enable
the JSM to locate targets on the basis of their electronic signature, Kongsberg said in a statement.

This contract is a result of an agreement between Australia and Norway to cooperate on the further development
of the JSM that was announced in February 2015.

“JSM is the fifth-generation long-range precision strike missile that will be integrated for internal carriage on the
F-35,” Kongsberg stated. “Using a combination of advanced materials, ability to fly low, while following the
terrain and using advanced passive seekers, the missile is extremely difficult to detect and stop, even for the most
advanced countermeasures and defence systems.”

BAE Systems stated that the signing of the contract will enable Kongsberg to continue the integration and
qualification of the passive RF sensor.

“The company will provide a low-cost, lightweight and highly sensitive electronic support measure receiver for
incorporation on JSM, which will feature an additional land attack and littoral attack capability, as well as a two-
way communications line for target adjustment and inflight termination,” BAE Systems stated.

“In its work with Kongsberg, BAE Systems has delivered a pre-production passive RF sensor for the JSM program,
which was used to perform fit checks, system integration and support flight-testing in a development-standard
missile.”

In support of the contract, BAE Systems will supply new sensors to Kongsberg for use in its qualification activities.

“This is a great example of niche technology being developed through government and industry collaboration
that has the potential to provide long-term, sustainable exports for Australia,” said BAE Systems Australia chief
executive Glynn Phillips.
The company stated that the technology was developed with the support of a Defence-funded program, and that
it received a grant in 2013 to help commercialise the technology.

“We are very pleased that Australia joins the development of JSM by funding the integration of the RF seeker,
and that we together can increase the JSM capabilities,” said Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence Systems.

Now Japan is moving forward in considering JSM for its own F-35s as a land attack and naval attack
component for its air combat force.

According to a June 26, 2017 article published by Yomiuri Shimbun, the Japanese Government mulls
equipping F-35s with air-to-surface missiles.

The government is considering equipping cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighters with air-to-surface missiles, which are
capable of striking remote targets on land, and plans to deploy these fighters to the Air Self-Defense Force, The
Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

It will become the first introduction of such missiles for the Self-Defense Forces. The government hopes to allocate
relevant expenses in the fiscal 2018 budget, according to sources close to the government. The main purpose of

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