Norway and Australia received authorizations from the US government to purchase air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Potential sales total a value of $1.18 billion and have yet to be approved by Congress.
According to press releases from the Security and Defense Cooperation Agency (CASD), linked to the State Department, the most expensive order is that of Norway: US$ 950 million for 205 AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles and another 60 AIM-120 missiles of the D or C-8 versions.
The deal also includes four missile guidance sections, as well as control sections, captive missiles and other items. According to the DSCA, the missiles will provide advanced air-to-air capability for Norwegian F-35 stealth fighters.
AMRAAM is an active radar-guided air-to-air missile. It was developed by the US in the 1980s to replace the semi-active radar guided AIM-7 Sparrow. The model, which is going through updates, is the main weapon of its kind in use in the world, with more than 4.900 test shots and 13 victories in real combat.
Australia (which also uses the AMRAAM ordered by Norway) received authorization to buy missiles AGM-158 t Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). Canberra requested the acquisition of 80 of these missiles in the AGM-158B version for US$ 235 million, as well as training missiles, systems and software.
As in the case of Norway, Australia intends to use the new missiles on the F-35, but also on its F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Armed Forces, the AGM-158 JASSM is a cruise missile with low-observability characteristics (stealth), in service with the USAF since 2009. The armament has a range of 370 km and has a warhead of 450 kg of explosives, reinforced for penetration of targets such as reinforced hangars and bunkers.
The JASSM-ER variant, acquired by Australia, entered service in 2014, has a range of 925 to 1000 km and is also the basis for the AGM-158C LRASM, a new long-range anti-ship missile for the US Navy, currently under development.
