Views: 7
BULGARIAN MILITARY
Media sources indicate that the United States is on the verge of finalizing an agreement to provide Ukraine with long-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles [JASSMs]. While these missiles pose a substantial threat to Russian defenses, Kyiv faces real nightmare regarding their delivery timeline.
- Ukraine lost its best pilots long before the delivery of F-16s
- American F-16s, F-22s and C-130Js receive non-standard parts
- Europeans warn of imminent Iranian missile deliveries to Russia
The report notes, “Kyiv will need to wait several months for the United States to address technical issues before delivery.” However, it’s unclear just how many months Kyiv will have to endure before receiving this critical support if Washington gives the go-ahead.
This fall, the US is planning to announce the inclusion of long-range JASSM missiles in the aid package for Kyiv, according to the agency. However, sources mentioned that a final decision has not yet been made. An official noted that steps are being taken to ensure that the JASSM can be launched by Ukraine’s “non-Western” fighter jets.
Previously, the White House National Security Council declined to comment to Russian media on reports that the US administration is considering supplying Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles. There’s still no mention of a specific type of JASSM missile, and until they are delivered to Kyiv, the exact type cannot be confirmed. So, let’s take a look at what the US currently has.
The U.S. Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile [JASSM] family includes three key variants, each tailored for specific missions and boasting different capabilities and ranges. The first in the lineup, the AGM-158A JASSM, was developed to give the U.S. military a precision-guided, low-observable cruise missile ideal for striking heavily defended targets from afar. With a range of approximately 370 kilometers [230 miles], the AGM-158A features a penetrating warhead specifically designed to destroy hardened targets like bunkers or reinforced structures. This model lays the groundwork for the advanced versions that followed in the JASSM series.
The next variant, the AGM-158B JASSM-ER [Extended Range], elevates the missile’s range capabilities significantly. This advanced version can cover over 925 kilometers [575 miles], making it a formidable long-range standoff weapon in the U.S. military’s arsenal. This extra range allows it to hit targets beyond the reach of most modern air defense systems, providing a vital strategic edge in high-risk scenarios. Just like its predecessor, the JASSM-ER is equipped with sophisticated guidance systems, including GPS, inertial navigation, and an imaging infrared seeker, ensuring pinpoint accuracy even against moving targets.
The most advanced variant, the AGM-158D, also known as the JASSM-XR [Extreme Range], pushes the envelope even further. With a range of approximately 1,900 kilometers [1,180 miles], it doubles that of the JASSM-ER. This variant is designed to penetrate deeply into enemy territory, targeting critical infrastructure and strategic assets while maintaining the same stealth features that make the JASSM line hard to detect and intercept. The development of the AGM-158D highlights the U.S. focus on preserving a long-range strike capability in increasingly contested environments.
These JASSM variants offer impressive versatility in terms of platform compatibility, allowing them to be launched from an array of Western fighter jets. Fighter aircraft like the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, and the F-35 Lightning II are all equipped to carry and deploy these missiles. Furthermore, strategic bombers such as the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52 Stratofortress can also launch JASSMs, making this weapon a crucial asset in both tactical and strategic missions. This wide-ranging adaptability across various platforms ensures the JASSM can be utilized in numerous scenarios, thereby providing a decisive advantage in contemporary warfare.
According to military experts, the deployment of the U.S. Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile [JASSM] poses a considerable challenge to Russian air defenses. With its stealth capabilities, the JASSM is engineered to be difficult to detect and intercept, even by advanced systems like Russia’s S-400 and S-500. Its low radar cross-section and ability to fly at low altitudes make it a potent threat to strategic targets deep within Russian territory.
Experts like Michael Kofman, a senior research scientist at CNA, emphasize the strengths of these hypersonic missiles concerning their stealth and the challenges they present for detection. Kofman notes, “The stealth features of these systems make it exceedingly difficult for Russian radars to pinpoint them, especially since they can be launched from significant distances.” This means that Russian defenses have to detect and respond to these threats with very little time to react.
Additionally, with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, these missiles can be fired from well beyond the reach of most interceptors, further complicating defensive efforts. Daniel Gouré, a former U.S. Air Force officer and now senior vice president at the Lexington Institute, also highlights the missile’s effectiveness against hardened or heavily defended targets. He stresses, “Even advanced air defense systems may find it difficult to intercept these missiles before they reach their objectives.”
These evaluations indicate that despite the strength of defenses, the deployment of JASSMs in a conflict scenario would probably overwhelm their systems, especially if used en masse or alongside other precision-guided weaponry. This blend of stealth, range, and accuracy poses a significant challenge for any defense mechanism.