The US Department of State has approved a potential $842-million sale of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) to Denmark to enhance the combat reach of the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-35 fighter jets.
Copenhagen’s purchase request includes 200 JASSM-ER missiles and associated logistics support services. Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor.
“The proposed sale will improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the Royal Danish Air Force with the ability to conduct long-range precision strikes, strengthening Royal Danish Air Force F-35 aircraft capabilities,” the US Department of State stated.
“Denmark will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile
With a range of 620 miles (998 kilometers), the cruise missile enables strikes against heavily defended targets from beyond the reach of enemy surface-to-air missile systems.
It carries a 1,000-pound (450-kilogram) penetrating warhead and can engage both fixed and relocatable targets.
The stealthy missile flies a preplanned route using GPS guidance and an inertial navigation system, while an imaging infrared seeker provides terminal targeting for enhanced accuracy.
Once fielded, the JASSM-ER will give the Royal Danish Air Force a long-range strike capability against command centers, air defense nodes, air bases, logistics facilities, missile sites, and other fixed military targets.
