Lockheed Martin has shown the new AGM-158 cruise missile family member, AGM-158 XR, with a longer range of AGM-158B JASSM-ERs.
The new missile is longer than JASSM-ER at the fuel tank section (Estimated to be between 0.5 to 0.6 m), revealing greater fuel capacity.
For reference, JASSM-ER has a range of 925 km. Taking this range as a reference, AGM-158 XR might approach the BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missile in range and size. The warhead is likely the same 1000 lb WDU-42/B penetrating HE-FRAG one, as Lockheed Martin underlined the commonality to ease the transition to the production phase.
The same might be the case for the seeker. However, changes in the engine are more than likely to accommodate the further increased weight. Among the possibilities is a new turbojet engine with the thrust to compensate and better efficiency. The missile's lack of designations like JASSM or LRASM, as is the case for the other variants in the AGM-158 family, hints at a dual-use missile (land attack and maritime strike).
Due to the increased weight of AGM-158 XR, F-16 fighters won't be able to carry the new cruise missile. However, the long-range missile will still benefit other fighters with larger payloads and P-8 Poseidon MPAs.
AGM-158 family is currently in service as three variants: AGM-158A JASSM (Baseline, general purpose), AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Extended Range), and AGM-158C LRASM (Anti-Ship Missile). Alongside AGM-158 XR, Lockheed Martin is also working on the AGM-158C-3 as the extended-range version of LRASM.
