A large-scale sale for the newest BVRAAM of the US, AIM-260 JATM, to Australia with 450 missiles and test equipment has been announced on Federal Register.
Australia is set to be the first export user of the AIM-260 JATM, succeeding the AIM-120 AMRAAM line of BVRAAMs. The sale, announced on Federal Register, states that the sale includes 450 AIM-260 JATM missiles, five captive integration missiles, and 30 guided test missiles. The total value of the sale, combined with support equipment and services, is at $3.16 billion. The AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), is developed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LME).
AIM-260 JATM has been developed in response to the new air missiles from China and Russia utilising new propulsion and guidance methods, such as PL-15 and R-77M.
While there is little information available on the performance of the new BVRAAM, it is known that the missile has a longer range and improved kinematics compared to the latest Rayteon's (NYSE: RTX) AIM-120 AMRAAM variants. The guidance is similarly vague for the time being. Still, new seeker technologies such as an RF seeker with improved jamming resistance and resolution, or even a multi-mode seeker, would not be a surprise. AIM-260 JATM is expected to be primarily fielded on F-35, F/A-18E/F, F-22, and F-47 fighter jets with other potential integrations being F-15EX and various CCA.
Australia might employ the missile on both F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35A fighters considering the current inventory of the RAAF.
Australia is among the primary partners in defence for the US, often engaging in joint work for major defence programmes such as the SSN-AUKUS nuclear attack submarine, Boeing Australia MQ-28A loyal wingman, and the PrSM ballistic missile. The cooperation has seen a considerable boost with the formation of the AUKUS defence pact focusing on Indo-Pacific region between the US, Australia, and the UK.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
