Article Posted on : - Jul 03, 2014

An artistic representation of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Photo: Kongsberg Gruppen.

LONDON (BNS): Kongsberg has signed a Phase III contract with the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO) to complete the development of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and prepare it for integration on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The contract is valued at NOK 1.1 billion (USD 179 million), and comes on the heels of a bridge phase contract signed on 29 November 2013, according to a news release by the Norwegian company.

JSM development work has going on since 2008 and will be a continuous activity up until the completion of a complete product in 2017. Future activities in Phase III will include an aircraft test, the production of a number of test missiles and the integration on the F-35.

"This contract is an important milestone not only for the JSM as a product and for Kongsberg, but also for Norway's technology industry which, through this development project, will establish a unique, globally leading industrial knowledge base," Walter Qvam, CEO of Kongsberg was quoted as saying in the report.

JSM is a new missile that will enable the F-35 to fight well-defended targets across long distances. The missile can also be integrated into other types of aircraft in addition to the F-35, meaning its market potential extends beyond the future users of the F-35.