The Japanese MoD announced the delivery of Joint Strike Missile (JSM) cruise missiles, specifically developed to fit inside F-35 internal bays, from Norway.
JASDF’s fleet of F-35 fighters has received stand-off strike capabilities with the delivery of the tailored cruise missiles, as announced by the Japanese MoD.
While F-35A will obviously receive JSM missiles, F-35Bs to be operated from the converted Izumo-class aircraft carriers should not be left out. It is known that Italy has ordered the cruise missiles for its F-35Bs specifically.
While Japan has had the highly capable ASM-3A supersonic anti-ship missiles as a stand-off option, they are reserved for the non-stealthy F-2 fighters and even with the integration being allowed, it would be limited to external carriage on F-35 due to the sheer size.
JSM, a development of the NSM cruise missile, was specifically developed to fit inside F-35’s internal bays not to compromise the stealth characteristics. Two missiles can be carried internally per F-35.
The missile, with a range between 185 km and 555 km depending on the cruise profile and a 120 kg warhead, is powered by an F-415 turbofan engine to provide higher fuel efficiency.
JSM’s guidance consists of GNSS/INS navigation aided by TERCOM through the IIR seeker, as well as passive RF sensors against targets emitting radar signals.
