Military — 2026-07-17

US Air Force Expands Stealthy JASSM and LRASM Missile Procurement From 16710 to 23095 Units Amid Iran War Depletion and China Deterrence

BLUFExpanding the production ceiling to 23,095 missiles acknowledges a years-long munitions deficit that constrains Pacific deterrence options until Lockheed Martin's new lots begin delivering in 2028.

Contract notices released Wednesday updated Air Force solicitations for JASSM lots 22-33 and LRASM lots 9-19, raising the anticipated production run from 16,710 to 23,095 missiles 1. A notice of intent published July 11, reported by Naval News and The Defense Post, covers JASSM lots 27-33 and LRASM lots 13-19, up to 11,200 missiles over five to seven years, with Lockheed Martin's deliveries starting 27 months after contract award 23. According to a CSIS report cited by USNI News and The Defense Post, US forces expended between 1,000 and 1,100 JASSMs, mostly the AGM-158B variant, against Iran since February 28, from a pre-war inventory estimated at 4,000 13. The Air Force funded 450 JASSMs and 115 LRASMs in fiscal 2025 and requested 389 more JASSMs and 118 more LRASMs for fiscal 2026, against 2026 annual production capacity of about 860 JASSMs and 240 LRASMs 3.

Analysis
The Air Force's lot expansion reflects a judgment that current production cannot simultaneously replenish Iran war losses and build the Pacific deterrent stockpile Indo-Pacific commanders require. Lockheed Martin's 27-month lead time keeps the depleted pre-war inventory thin for years, and 2026 output of roughly 860 JASSMs and 240 LRASMs falls short of the pace needed to close the gap between old and new targets, forcing continued rationing of high-end munitions for any near-term contingency even as Anduril and CoAspire widen the industrial base. Sourcing rests on a primary SAM.gov contract notice corroborated by converging, independently reported coverage from USNI News, Naval News, and The Defense Post rather than wire duplication. The ramp may instead reflect a pre-planned multiyear buildup toward Pacific requirements predating the Iran campaign, with wartime expenditure serving as public justification rather than primary driver.

4 sources

U.S. Air Force Increases Stealthy Cruise, Anti-ship Missile Production - USNI News
LRASM and JASSM Production to Triple Under New Air Force Contract - Naval News
Pentagon Plans Major JASSM, LRASM Production Expansion After Iran Strikes - The Defense Post
Notice of Contract Action for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) - SAM.gov (U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, FA8682 AFLCMC)