WASHINGTON, D.C., Lockheed Martin, next-generation AIM-260 air-to-air missile, U.S. Department of Defense, AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, or JATM, was developed to counter increasingly capable long-range air threats from China. Lockheed said it offers greater range and effectiveness than existing air-to-air missiles, providing an advantage against Chinese fighter jets such as the J-20.

The AIM-260 will be used on stealth fighters including the F-22 Raptor and F-35.

The disclosure comes as the Pentagon seeks to rebuild munitions stockpiles following the war on Iran, which depleted U.S. and allied missile stocks and prompted efforts to rapidly acquire less expensive long-range precision-strike weapons.

"JATM is one of our nation's most important air dominance capabilities, but because of the classified nature of the program, it's also a story we haven't been able to tell," Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a statement. "We're proud to finally talk about the extraordinary work behind this missile and how we're working with the U.S. government to rapidly scale production."

The first images of the weapon emerged in May. Australia has announced plans to buy roughly US$521 million worth of JATM missiles, although the quantity and unit price were not disclosed.

Lockheed's framework agreement with the Department of Defense lays the groundwork for a multiyear procurement contract intended to strengthen the defense ind

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Lockheed Martin has disclosed details of its next-generation AIM-260 air-to-air missile after years of secret development and has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense aimed at rapidly increasing production.

The missile, known as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, or JATM, was developed to counter increasingly capable long-range air threats from China. Lockheed said it offers greater range and effectiveness than existing air-to-air missiles, providing an advantage against Chinese fighter jets such as the J-20.

The AIM-260 will be used on stealth fighters including the F-22 Raptor and F-35.

The disclosure comes as the Pentagon seeks to rebuild munitions stockpiles following the war on Iran, which depleted U.S. and allied missile stocks and prompted efforts to rapidly acquire less expensive long-range precision-strike weapons.

"JATM is one of our nation's most important air dominance capabilities, but because of the classified nature of the program, it's also a story we haven't been able to tell," Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a statement. "We're proud to finally talk about the extraordinary work behind this missile and how we're working with the U.S. government to rapidly scale production."

The first images of the weapon emerged in May. Australia has announced plans to buy roughly US$521 million worth of JATM missiles, although the quantity and unit price were not disclosed.

Lockheed's framework agreement with the Department of Defense lays the groundwork for a multiyear procurement contract intended to strengthen the defense industrial base for the program.

The company said it would fund the investments needed to increase production under the agreement.