Image source: topwar.ru
Lockheed Martin (USA) is repurposing the JAGM air-to-ground missile for air defense. According to Rita Flaherty, the company's vice president for strategy and business operations in the missile and fire control sector, which she expressed to journalists at the Eurosatory defense exhibition, the munition can be adapted for a short-range mobile air defense system.
This is reported by the American magazine Defense News.
She believes that the rocket can be used for a number of platforms. According to a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman, the company is investing its own funds in development to increase the range of the JAGM to 16 kilometers, that is, twice. It is assumed that this will be achieved without changing the appearance and mass of the ammunition.
Image source: topwar.ru
Recently, the US Army turned to defense companies with a request to replace Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. According to Flaherty, JAGM could be suitable for this.
"Stingers" can be fired from vehicles or from the shoulder. It is impossible to use JAGM in MANPADS, it is too heavy for this. But such missile systems could be installed on Stryker armored vehicles or other ground vehicles.
JAGM was originally intended to replace Hellfire aircraft missiles. Such ammunition also began to be used for air defense. They are used in M-SHORAD short-range air defense systems based on Stryker armored cars.
