The U.S. Defense Department and Lockheed Martin signed a framework agreement on Sept. 17, 2026, to expand production of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), laying the groundwork for a future multiyear procurement of the classified long-range air-to-air weapon.
The agreement is neither a contract nor an order for missiles. Officials described it as a demand signal to Lockheed and its suppliers to justify investing in capacity, workforce and production efficiencies. Should Congress authorize and fund a multiyear buy, the aim is for production lines to be ready when orders arrive.
The announcement did not include information about the scale or timeline for the production ramp-up, nor the dollar amount associated with the agreement. Lockheed said it will invest its own money to expand capacity in advance of any orders, but did not provide specifics about the level of internal investment.
“Speed, scale, and stability drive acquisition excellence, and these gears must turn in unison,” Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said in a release. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to sending clear, long-term demand signals across the defense industrial base.”
Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said the company will invest its own money to expand capacity in advance of any orders.
“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,” Cahill 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.”
Lockheed has been developing JATM for the U.S. Air Force and Navy to outrange and eventually replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The company said the AIM-260 offers greater range and effectiveness than current U.S. air-to-air weapons. Public estimates put its range at more than 120 miles, a response to longer-range Chinese weapons such as the PL-15.
Sized to fit the internal bays of fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35, the missile must deliver that added range with a footprint no larger than the AMRAAM it replaces. The first public images of the missile were taken May 13, when aviation photographer Jonathan Tweedy photographed an AIM-260 loaded on a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
The framework agreement sets the stage for future multi-year procurement of JATM and boosting foreign military sales, the Pentagon stated in a news release. In August, Australia announced plans to become the first international JATM customer.
Sources: Defense News · Breaking Defense