The AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is a low-observable, long range, air-to-surface missile. It was a follow-on program to the AGM-137 TSSAM that was canceled in 1994 due to high costs. Lockheed Martin was selected for the engineering-manufacturing development phase on 9 April 1998, completing the first missile in April 2000. The Navy resisted participation in the program, favoring its own SLAM-ER instead. Low rate initial production (LRIP) was approved on 21 December 2001; initial Air Force procurement funding first was included in the FY02 budget request. The full rate production decision took place in March 2004 and the first full rate production contract (Lot 4) was awarded in November 2004. Initial service capability was in 2003 with initial missile deliveries in the spring of 2003 for use on the B-52 bomber. Some missiles were available in time for Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003 but were not employed.
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