BAE Systems Australia press release
This completes the first full rate of production order for 200 PRS sensors and is the result of successful and efficient operations between the two companies over the past five years.
Following initial funding from the Australian Government, KONGSBERG and BAE Systems Australia have continued to invest in the development, qualification and integration of the Australian sensor providing additional capability to the fifth-generation, long-range, precision-guided, stand-off missile system.
KONGSBERG’s JSM is highly effective against maritime and land targets, and is the only anti-ship cruise missile that can be carried internally within the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
This allows the F-35 to retain its range and stealth capabilities, making it highly suited to meet the RAAF’s F-35 Maritime Strike requirements under Project 3023 Phase 2.
The JSM is from the same family of missiles as the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) that was competitively selected by the US Navy, and is also a candidate missile for Project SEA 1300 for the Royal Australian Navy.
This order demonstrates KONGSBERG’s willingness to work closely with Australian Defence Industry and BAE Systems Australia’s commitment to developing sovereign capability in Guided Weapons programs that will benefit the Australian Defence Force.
“This latest export order with BAE Systems Australia further demonstrates KONGSBERG’s commitment to working with our Australian Industry partners on the development of world-leading sovereign guided weapon technology. The work that we are doing with BAE Systems Australia on JSM continues to build upon KONGSBERG’s legacy of collaboration with Australian companies on guided weapon production that commenced 25 years ago with the Australian manufacture of Penguin missile components. The global interest for JSM with the international F-35 user community gives us confidence that the PRS will continue to be an outstanding export story for Australian Defence Industry.”
Kongsberg Defence Australia’s General Manager John Fry
“Achieving this major milestone in the JSM program provides an excellent example of how KONGSBERG, an international guided weapons provider and BAE Systems Australia, have successfully established an effective working relationship that supports design, development, integration and production activities in the field of guided weapons. This order demonstrates Australia’s ability to develop new, world leading sovereign technologies. The integration of this technology into a guided weapon will provide the Australian Defence Force with a leading edge defence capability. Our collaboration and success in developing this sensor for the JSM also showcases how Australia can compete on the world stage and export innovative defence technologies.”
BAE Systems Australia Managing Director Defence Delivery Andrew Gresham
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About JSM
JSM is an air launched variant of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with ability to attack sea and land based targets. The JSM is the only long-range sea- and land-target missile that can be carried internally in the F-35 and thus ensuring the aircraft’s low-signature (stealth) capabilities. Using a combination of advanced materials, ability to fly low, while following the terrain and using advanced passive seekers, the missile is extremely difficult to detect and stop even for the most advanced countermeasures and defence systems.
The JSM is in development for the Norwegian Armed Forces. The Norwegian Defense Material Agency (FMA or Forsvarsmateriell) in February 2021 successfully carried out the first in-flight release of the JSM from an F-35A test aircraft. JSM will have unmatched operational capabilities enabling the F-35 to fight well-defended targets across long distances. The missile will be integrated on the F-35A but can also be integrated on other types of aircraft. KONGSBERG and Raytheon are partnered to provide the JSM for US and international customers. Japan signed several JSM procurement contracts for its future fleet of F-35 aircraft.
