AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
Australia has declared the AGM-158B JASSM-ER and AGM-158C LRASM operational on its F/A-18F Super Hornets, adding long-range precision land-attack and maritime-strike capabilities to the aircraft. The move expands the Royal Australian Air Force’s ability to conduct standoff operations against both land and maritime targets.
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Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons
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Australia has declared the AGM-158B JASSM-ER and AGM-158C LRASM operational on its F/A-18F Super Hornets, adding long-range precision land-attack and maritime-strike capabilities to the aircraft. The move expands the Royal Australian Air Force’s ability to conduct standoff operations against both land and maritime targets.
The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for two long-range strike capabilities: JASSM-ER integration on its F/A-18F Super Hornets and LRASM on its P-8A Poseidon fleet. The milestone expands Australia’s ability to conduct stand-off land-attack and anti-ship missions.
France has ordered the MBDA-Safran Thundart guided rocket system, designed to replace the Army’s LRU and reach 150 km, while Sweden and Croatia pursue different rocket-artillery solutions. Australia has also declared initial operational capability for the AGM-158C LRASM and AGM-158B JASSM-ER.
Ukraine’s new Shershen surface-to-air missile system is designed with an open architecture that could allow Kyiv to combine different interceptors as its missile inventory changes. The approach may provide flexibility to integrate adapted air-to-air missiles into a ground-based air-defense system.
RTX is collaborating with fusion-energy startup Xcimer to assess whether high-energy laser technology rooted in Cold War research could support directed-energy defenses. The effort highlights a potential crossover between fusion research and systems designed to counter missiles and drones.
High activity
An Iranian ballistic missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base reportedly caused significant damage to a U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II, including the loss of a wing, and lighter damage to approximately eight F-15E Strike Eagles. The incident underscores the operational exposure of forward-deployed aircraft in the region.
High activity
MBDA and Safran won approval to supply France’s new long-range land-strike capability, while the U.S. expanded military connectivity with 21 PWSA Tranche-1 satellites. Separate awards include up to $4.84 billion for Northrop Grumman’s CIRCM system, $4.7 billion to L3Harris for PAC-3 MSE propulsion and $343.2 million for T56 sustainment.
Russia is using the 2026 El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt to promote the export Su-57E, S-71 drones, drone-like missiles, upgraded Ka-52 helicopters and air-defense systems, including the ZAK-30 Citadel. The showcase comes as the Su-57’s operational effectiveness remains difficult to establish publicly.
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