Lethal Capabilities of JASSM-ER Missiles: Countering North Korea’s Aggressive Posturing – Part 3
Daniel Kim Views
About 10 missiles Deployed in South Korea to contain Chinese military
There are three main types of JASSMs. The basic model is the AGM-158A JASSM, with a range of 370 km, which the U.S. Air Force uses as an air-to-ground cruise missile. Next is the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, with a range of 930 km, which the U.S. Air Force also uses as an air-to-ground cruise missile. Finally, there is the AGM-158C LRASM, with a range of 930 km, which the U.S. Navy uses as an air-to-ship cruise missile.
The Korean military also decided to start the JASSM introduction project in the mid-to-long-term defense plan before 2010. However, as problems began to arise during the development process, the plan to introduce the JASSM was disrupted. In 2012, a fatal problem was discovered: the vertical fin of the JASSM was only folded to the left, making it impossible to mount the JASSM on the left wing of the F-15. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration requested a response from Boeing, the manufacturer of the F-15K, and Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the JASSM. Still, neither company could respond, leading to the failure of the Korean Air Force’s introduction.
About 10 JASSM missiles have been deployed at the U.S. military base in Gunsan, South Korea. Whether they are the 370 km-range AGM-158A JASSM or the 1000 km-range AGM-158B JASSM-ER is not confirmed. However, it has been reported that the F-16 fighter can carry two JASSMs.
Rumors are rife that the U.S. forces in South Korea deployed 10 AGM-158B JASSM-ERs with a range of 1000km in response to news that China established a missile battalion composed of 10 DF-16 missiles with a range of 1000km to directly and preemptively strike the THAAD of the U.S. forces in South Korea.
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