Lockheed Martin reveals new secret missile, fast tracks production

By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON, Sept ‌17 (Reuters) - Lockheed ​Martin ​unveiled on Thursday details of a next-generation air-to-air missile developed to counter threats from China and a new ‌agreement with the Defense Department to boost production as the ⁠Pentagon rebuilds munitions stockpiles.

The war on Iran depleted U.S. and allied missile ‌stocks, spurring a push to ‌rapidly acquire less expensive long-range precision-strike weapons.

The missile, known as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), has been developed in ​secrecy for years as the U.S. military's answer to increasingly capable long-range air threats from China. Lockheed said the ⁠weapon offers greater range and effectiveness than existing air-to-air missiles — an advantage against Chinese fighter ​jets like the J-20.

The AIM-260 will be used on stealth fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35.

"JATM ​is one of our nation's most ‌important air dominance capabilities, but because of the classified nature of the program, it's also a ⁠story we haven't been able to tell," Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a statement. "We're proud to ⁠finally talk about the extraordinary work behind this missile and how we're working ​with the U.S. government to rapidly scale production."

The first images of the weapon emerged in May and Australia has announced it will buy roughly $521 ‌million worth of JATM missiles. The quantity and unit price were not disclosed.

The framework agreement lays the ‌groundwork for a multiyear procurement contract aimed at strengthening the defense ⁠industrial base for the ‌program. Lockheed said it ​would fund investments needed to boost output under the deal.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by ‌Sanjeev Miglani)

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