Lockheed Martin has introduced AGM-158 FLEX, a modular airframe concept for its JASSM and LRASM missile family, designed to reuse existing production infrastructure while expanding launch and mission options. The concept centres on interchangeable forward and aft sections and is tied to the forthcoming JASSM-XR long-range variant.
The company has invested more than $35 million of its own funds in design work, testing, prototype production, subsystem qualification and supplier preparation. FLEX is built around removable nose cones for different sensor suites and a removable boat tail that could support air, surface and subsurface launch configurations, while preserving compatibility with current and future air-launched platforms.
Lockheed Martin plans two airframe lengths: a 168-inch version aligned with JASSM-ER and a 206-inch version for JASSM-XR. The company intends to keep using the established JASSM and LRASM production line, supply chain and mission-planning software ecosystem rather than creating a separate manufacturing base for each configuration.