Lockheed Martin has signed a framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War to accelerate production and delivery of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, a secretive next-generation air-to-air weapon developed for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The deal, disclosed on Wednesday, lays the groundwork for a future multiyear procurement arrangement, but it is not yet a firm production contract and still needs congressional approval.
The agreement is designed to give the programme and its suppliers clearer demand signals so investment can move ahead in manufacturing capacity, workforce and production efficiency. Lockheed Martin plans to fund the investments needed to support the ramp-up, while the Pentagon wants to strengthen munitions capacity and improve readiness across the defence industrial base.
No production rate, unit total or contract value was disclosed. The missile has been developed in secrecy for years and is viewed as a successor-class capability for long-range air threats, with potential relevance for U.S. and allied air combat fleets. Officials also indicated that future procurement could support foreign military sales if Congress approves the longer-term buy.