Norway Receives Joint Strike Missile for F-35 Fleet
Norway has officially taken delivery of its first Joint Strike Missile (JSM), marking a significant enhancement to its fleet of F-35 fighter jets. The announcement came on Monday, coinciding with the formal acceptance of all 52 F-35 aircraft that the country had ordered. This advanced missile allows the F-35s to engage well-defended targets from a standoff distance of approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles), increasing their operational capabilities.
Brigadier Jarle Nergard, Head of Defence Materiel Air Capabilities, emphasized the strategic importance of this development. “This is a capability that has previously been reserved for the major powers,” he stated. “With the F-35 and JSM, Norway can threaten targets such as naval vessels, radar installations, and command centers at significant distances, independently of our allies.”
Innovative Design and Features of the JSM
The JSM was meticulously crafted for integration with the F-35, coming from a collaboration between Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, and the Norwegian Defence Research Institute. At a compact length of 4 meters (13 feet), the JSM is unique in its class as it is capable of being housed within the F-35’s internal weapons bay. This design helps maintain the aircraft’s stealth and operational range.
Designed to target both land and naval assets, the JSM is equipped with sophisticated sensors, including an infrared seeker and passive homing technology, alongside two-way communication capabilities. Its high maneuverability, combined with a low radar cross-section, allows it to operate efficiently at low altitudes, making it a challenging target for enemy defenses.
