WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin have finalized an initial agreement to scale up production of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), the classified weapon designed to replace the AMRAAM.
The framework arrangement paves the way for future multi-year procurement of the JATM and expanded foreign military sales, according to a Pentagon news release. The announcement did not disclose the scale, timeline, or financial value of the production increase.
In a separate statement, Lockheed Martin confirmed it would “support necessary investments to drive the production increase under this agreement,” though the company declined to specify the level of internal funding it anticipates committing.
The JATM agreement is the latest in a series of framework deals signed this year between the Defense Department and industry partners aimed at rapidly expanding weapons manufacturing capacity. Under this model, contractors pledge private capital to modernize or build new facilities in exchange for the Pentagon’s promise of stable, multi-year production contracts.
Questions remain regarding when funding and definitive contracts for these framework agreements will materialize. Lockheed previously secured similar arrangements for the Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD interceptors, which have since transitioned into undefinitized contract actions valued at $59 billion and $35 billion, respectively.
However, final, definitized contracts for the dozen or so framework deals have remained elusive, with much of the Pentagon’s munitions spending tied to a $350 billion reconciliation request that Congress has yet to approve.
The Pentagon has maintained strict control over information regarding the classified JATM program, which entered the public domain in 2019. In August, Australia announced its intention to become the missile’s first international customer.
“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to sending clear, long-term demand signals across the defense industrial base, ensuring our warfighters receive unmatched capability exactly when and where the mission demands,” said Michael Duffey, the department’s head of acquisition and sustainment.
Lockheed Martin stated the new missile offers “increased range and effectiveness over existing air-to-air weapons” and will be integrated onto Air Force and Navy fighters, including the F-22 and F-35.
“This agreement builds on years of collaboration to deliver this critical air dominance capability to the warfighter,” said Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We will deliver JATM at the speed our nation and allies demand while providing value for taxpayers and our shareholders.”