U.S. Military awards Lockheed Martin a brand new contract for JAGM and Hellfire missiles, underscoring the enduring position of those missiles in precision strike missions.
On Aug. 21, 2025, Lockheed Martin secured a brand new $720 million contract from the U.S. Military for the continued manufacturing of AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Floor Missiles (JAGM) and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The brand new award, funding the fourth manufacturing yr of the multi-year contract, brings the cumulative face worth of that deal to roughly $1.493 billion, in response to the U.S. Division of Protection.
Apparently, earlier notices about this contract generically talked about air-to-ground missile techniques. This time, the discover explicitly mentions Hellfire and JAGM. Over 145,000 missiles have been produced so far, says the corporate, demonstrating their enduring position because the weapon of alternative in essential, precision engagements.
Distribution & Overseas Army Gross sales (FMS)
This contract helps not solely U.S. Military and Navy necessities, but additionally consists of Overseas Army Gross sales to a variety of worldwide clients. Notably, in response to Lockheed Martin, the contract consists of 160 JAGMs destined for the UK, Hellfire orders for NATO allies Poland, Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, and a brand new worldwide buyer, Canada.
The Polish Hellfire order aligns with earlier U.S. FMS agreements for AH-64E Apache helicopters to the Polish Air Drive, that are anticipated to be delivered from 2028. Poland ordered 800 AGM-114R2 to arm its new Apaches, emphasizing the synergy throughout complementary missile and rotary-wing techniques.
The UK has a fair bigger FMS contract pending, because the U.S. State Division accepted an FMS for 3,000 JAGM missiles to the UK. Equally to Poland, the weapons will equip the British Military’s AH-64Es.
Italy, after years of planning, is arming its MQ-9As with AGM-114 Hellfires, amongst different weapons, as a part of the continuing modernization. Canada will equally arm its personal not too long ago acquired MQ-9s with Hellfires.
JAGM: Enhanced Steerage and Vary
The AGM-179 JAGM is a follow-on to earlier canceled applications however retains the identical kind issue because the Hellfire, enabling use of widespread manufacturing traces and launch platforms. Its dual-mode seeker combines laser designation with millimeter-wave radar, not like Hellfire variants that used separate seekers.
Furthermore, Lockheed Martin has developed an improved model, the JAGM-MR (Medium-Vary), which doubles the vary from approximatively 8 km (5 miles) to about 16 km (10 miles), retaining the unique dimensions. Moreover, this model additionally provides a near-infrared seeker to the prevailing dual-mode steerage system.
The extension of the vary and extra seeker have been potential due to the introduction of a brand new rocket motor and an electromechanical management actuation system changing the earlier pneumatic one, which freed extra room within the weapon. Assessments at China Lake and subsequent demonstrations confirmed the missile’s prolonged attain and its means to discriminate a number of targets at vary.
The AGM-114 Hellfire
The Hellfire missile began life in 1974 as an air-launched anti-tank missile, getting into service in 1984 on the top of the Chilly Struggle. Earlier variations have been solely laser-guided and designed to be employed prevalently by helicopters just like the AH-64 Apache assault helicopter.
The upgraded Hellfire II variant entered U.S. service in 1996 and, since then, has been extensively used on many platforms, however achieved fame notably because the weapon of alternative for drones just like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper in the course of the years of the Struggle on Terror. American drones and Hellfire missiles have been famously concerned within the strike that stopped the fleeing convoy of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, within the strike in Baghdad that focused the Iranian normal Qassem Soleimani and within the elimination of al Qaeda’s chief Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The Hellfire II additionally has a radar-guided variant, the Longbow Hellfire, geared up with a millimeter-wave energetic radar, making it a fire-and-forget weapon with even a lock-on after launch functionality. The Longbow radar is famously mounted on the highest of the rotor of the newer Apache variations, permitting the helicopter to have interaction enemy targets whereas behind cowl and solely exposing the radar on prime.
A peculiar Hellfire model is the R-9X variant, sporting a kinetic warhead with six pop-out blades that exchange explosives and cut back collateral injury. The R-9X Hellfire, popularly generally known as “Ninja Missile” and “Flying Ginsu”, was the sort used to focus on Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan.
The AGM-114 Hellfire, which weighs 104 kilos (47 kg, with 20 kilos or 9kg being the warhead) and has a variety of between 7 and 11 km, has additionally been utilized in an anti-aircraft position. The primary air-to-air operational use was on Might 24, 2001, when an Israeli Apache engaged a Cessna 152 intruding from Lebanon.
Hellfire within the Counter-UAS and Naval Roles
Each the AGM-179 JAGM and the AGM-114 Hellfire proceed to evolve with important upgrades and diversified employment throughout air, land, and naval domains. Whereas the JAGM noticed extra restricted use because it solely not too long ago entered service, the Hellfire is now seeing use in new, totally different roles.
The truth is, past its conventional position as a precision anti-armor and strike weapon, the AGM-114 Hellfire has more and more been tailored to counter-unmanned plane techniques (C-UAS). As an illustration, in the course of the U.S.-Saudi Pink Sands train in 2024, AH-64 Apache helicopters efficiently used Hellfires to have interaction and destroy hostile drones, showcasing the missile’s versatility in rising menace eventualities.
Equally, the MQ-1C Grey Eagle unmanned plane has been examined within the C-UAS position, using Hellfires to intercept and neutralize aerial drones throughout live-fire demonstrations. Each checks used the AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire variant, geared up with a millimeter-wave (MMW) radar seeker. The Grey Eagle STOL additionally employed the Hellfire in a C-UAS take a look at.
The U.S. Navy has additionally fielded the Hellfire within the surface-to-air position aboard the Littoral Fight Ships (LCS). Built-in into the Floor-to-Floor Missile Module (SSMM), Hellfire missiles give the LCS the power to quickly interact small boats, low-flying plane, and drones at shut vary, addressing one of many ship class’s most persistent self-defense gaps.
In latest trials, the LCS efficiently intercepted a number of fast-moving aerial targets utilizing Hellfires, highlighting its flexibility as a naval point-defense resolution. The brand new C-UAS system has already been deployed operationally aboard USS Indianapolis within the U.S. fifth Fleet Space of Duty.
Furthermore, the U.S. Navy talked about in 2023 its plans to combine Hellfire and JAGM into the F-35C Lighting II. These will be a part of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Floor Standoff Missile (JASSM) and the AGM-158C Lengthy-Vary Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) as the brand new weapons the service will introduce on the F-35C.
Hellfire Modernization: The SPEAR Warhead
The Hellfire missile household can also be present process modernization. A brand new Selectable Precision Results Articulated (SPEAR) warhead variant allows operators to tailor the munition’s blast sample, switching between a forward-facing mode for conventional level targets and a radial mode for space results.
This supplies added flexibility in opposition to numerous threats, from armored autos to dismounted troops in city terrain. The SPEAR variant is being built-in on platforms such because the MQ-9 Reaper and AC-130J Ghostrider, each of that are closely utilized by U.S. Particular Operations Command.
This system is a part of the Pentagon’s Stand-off Precision Guided Munitions initiative, with extra funding requested within the FY 2026 price range to speed up fielding. By lowering the necessity for blended missile loadouts, SPEAR can improve mission flexibility whereas minimizing logistical complexity with much less varieties of weapons.
Strategic Implications
This new contract underscores the integral position of the Hellfire and JAGM missiles in todays evolving menace eventualities. By integrating each shut help and prolonged standoff capabilities, the JAGM-MR enhances survivability of supply platforms in contested environments.
The Hellfire’s ongoing evolution, notably with SPEAR and its adaptation to C-UAS and naval protection missions, displays the responsiveness of the navy to evolving menace environments. Even with JAGM initially deliberate to exchange it, the fight confirmed Hellfire will proceed to soldier on for the years to return.
