Cruise Missile
Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a Norwegian air-launched anti-ship and land-attack missile made by Kongsberg, derived from the Naval Strike Missile. It fits inside the F-35 weapons bay and has a range of over 275 km.
Norway|Kongsberg Defence & AerospaceOverview
The JSM is the air-launched version of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile, designed for internal carriage in the F-35A and F-35C bays. The NSM entered Norwegian service in 2012, the JSM test series ran from 2011 to 2020, and Block 1 qualification with the F-35 Block 4 came around 2024. The missile weighs 416 kg, is 4.0 m long and carries a 120 kg penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead. It flies at about Mach 0.9 on a Williams F415 turbofan, with imaging infrared guidance, target recognition and terrain following.
Range is over 275 km (150 nmi), and extended-range NSM variants are reported to exceed 500 km. Customers include Norway, Australia, the US Air Force and Japan, with the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark and Canada also selecting it, though not all are in service. A Block 2, also called JSM-ER, is under development. Türkiye, excluded from the F-35 programme since 2019, cannot carry JSM on its F-35s. No Arab operator is confirmed. Rivals include Storm Shadow, JASSM and the Taurus KEPD 350.
Key Specifications
Variants
The NSM is the naval version of the missile that entered Norwegian service in 2012.
The JSM Block 1 is the air-launched version qualified for the F-35 around 2024.
The JSM Block 2 is the extended-range version under development.
Operators
Norway
Australia
United States
JapanFrequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the Joint Strike Missile?
The Joint Strike Missile has a range of over 275 km (150 nautical miles). Extended-range NSM variants are reported to reach 500 km or more.
Does the JSM fit inside the F-35?
Yes, the Joint Strike Missile is designed for internal carriage in the F-35A and F-35C weapons bays. That keeps the aircraft stealthy.
JSM vs JASSM: what is the difference?
The JSM is a 416 kg high-subsonic missile with a range of over 275 km, while the larger AGM-158 JASSM has a longer range. The JSM was designed specifically to fit inside the F-35.
Which countries use the Joint Strike Missile?
The JSM is used or ordered by Norway, Australia, the US and Japan, with the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark and Canada also selecting it. Not all are in service yet.
Is the JSM stealthy?
The Joint Strike Missile has a low-observable shape. Carried internally in the F-35, it keeps the aircraft’s stealth signature.
Will Türkiye get the JSM?
Türkiye is excluded from the F-35 programme since 2019, so the JSM is not on its F-35s. Turkish alternatives include the Atmaca and Çakır.
