Lockheed Martin launches AGM-158 missile FLEX modular concept, adaptable to multi-platform launch

U.S. Air Force soldiers attach an AGM-158 missile to the underside of the wing of a B-1 bomber. (AFP)

[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] In the future, a missile may be changed from air-launched to ship-launched, land-launched or even submarine-launched by simply replacing some components. It can also be equipped with different sensors according to mission requirements. Lockheed USA. Martin Corporation recently unveiled the FLEX modular concept of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Missile (JASSM) family, hoping that through a common missile body and replaceable components, the same missile architecture can be used for more purposes.

Traditional missiles actually often come in different versions. For example, the Harpoon missile comes in air-launched, ship-launched, shore-launched and submarine-launched versions. However, different versions still need to be redesigned, integrated and tested according to the launch environment. The concept of FLEX is to make these differences into replaceable modules from the design stage, minimizing the need to re-create a missile every time a new use is developed.

Foreign military news website "The War Zone" reported that Lockheed Martin said that FLEX uses a common missile body, the nose is detachable, and different sensors can be installed according to needs; the tail section is also replaceable, allowing the missile to adapt to different launch methods such as air, water or underwater. In other words, in the future, in addition to being mounted by fighter aircraft, the JASSM family may also be further developed into land-based, warship or even submarine-launched models.

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However, this does not mean that frontline officers and soldiers can temporarily change ground-attack missiles into anti-ship missiles like "changing building blocks." Different seekers, software, and launch platforms still need to complete engineering integration and testing, but the modular design is expected to reduce the time and cost of subsequent development of new models.

Lockheed Martin has invested more than 35 million US dollars in the research and development of FLEX, and plans two projectile lengths of 168 inches and 206 inches. Among them, the largest JASSM-XR will be the first to adopt the FLEX architecture. JASSM-XR is expected to have a range approaching or exceeding 1,000 miles (approximately 1,600 kilometers) and can carry a 1,000-pound warhead.

Another advantage of FLEX is that it can use the existing production lines, supply chains and software systems of JASSM and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). For the US military, which is in large demand for long-range precision weapons, if the same missile architecture can adapt to different platforms and missions, it can reduce the burden of re-developing weapons and allow the JASSM family to move from "a series of missiles" to a "common missile platform".