JASSM-ER Missile: The fight between the United States and Iran now looks even more dangerous. A new Bloomberg report says the US is moving a very large share of its long-range JASSM-ER missiles to bases that could be used in the war with Iran. The report says about 82% of the US global stock of these missiles could be sent for this conflict. If that happens, only around 425 missiles would still be left for other parts of the world.
This move came after more public warnings from US President Donald Trump. Reuters reported that Trump gave Iran a 48-hour warning through social media and demanded a deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is one of the world’s most important sea routes for oil shipments.
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In the reporting around the ultimatum, Trump wrote, “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them,” as pressure on Tehran grew.
What is JASSM-ER Missile?
The JASSM-ER is a long-range US cruise missile made by Lockheed Martin. Its full name is Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range. It is built to hit important targets from far away so pilots do not have to fly too close to enemy air defence systems.
Lockheed Martin describes JASSM as a long-range air-to-ground weapon, and a US Department of Defense acquisition report says the JASSM-ER can be launched from more than 500 nautical miles away. It carries a 1,000-pound class penetrating warhead with blast-fragmentation effect.
The missile can be used by several US aircraft. Lockheed Martin has said JASSM-ER is integrated on the F-15E and also on aircraft such as the B-1B, B-2, B-52, and F-16. That makes it one of the key long-range strike weapons in the US arsenal. Reports about the current war say it is seen as very important because it can strike defended targets while keeping aircrews at a safer distance.
JASSM-ER Missile: Fetures
- Cost:USD 1.5 million per unit.
- Range:Exceeds 500 nautical miles (roughly 930 km).
- Lethality:Equipped with a 1,000-pound penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead.
- Compatibility:Integrated with various platforms, including F-15E and F-16 fighter jets, as well as B-1B, B-2 and B-52H bombers.
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Official US and Lockheed Martin material supports the range, warhead class, and aircraft compatibility, while the cost figure in current coverage is an approximate figure used in recent news reports.
Stockpile Pressure
Bloomberg’s report also said the war is putting real pressure on US missile stocks. According to the report, more than 1,000 JASSM-ER missiles were used in the first month of the Iran conflict. It also said US forces recently used 47 of the same missiles in an operation aimed at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
