Marines from the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11) and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 were the first to conduct operations with the newest weapon for the F/A-18C/D Hornet, the AGM-158A JASSM missile, during validation and verification tests at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, from August 27 to 28, 2024.
The AGM-158A JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is a stealthy, conventional, ground-attack cruise missile with a range of 230 miles. In 2018, the United States first deployed the JASSM in combat, launched from B-1B Lancer bombers to destroy a Syrian chemical weapons facility, demonstrating the missile’s effectiveness.
“The integration of the AGM-158A standoff missile into the F/A-18’s arsenal significantly enhances the Hornet’s capabilities, allowing it to strike targets well beyond the range of enemy air defenses”, said Major Bradley Kirby, an officer with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
The Marines conducted validation and verification tests by loading an AGM-158A JASSM onto an F/A-18 assigned to VMFA-232 to assess loading procedures and ensure hardware and software compatibility—a mandatory protocol before incorporating the JASSM into the Marine Corps’ arsenal. “The JASSM not only surpasses the capabilities of any other weapon currently in the Hornet’s extensive arsenal but also those of the entire Marine Corps,” added Major Kirby.
Personnel from MALS-11 unpacked, inspected, and prepared the JASSM for transfer to VMFA-232 at the fighter aircraft loading area at MCAS Miramar. VMFA-232 Marines inspected the missile before initiating the loading sequence on the aircraft and performing post-loading checks.
The Marines conducted checks with the F/A-18D powered on to ensure communication between the aircraft and the missile. Once completed, they reversed the process, incorporating modifications and notes into the final instructions. These instructions will be used to develop the Marine Corps’ manual for the AGM-158A JASSM missile.
A noteworthy aspect of the validation and verification tests was the use of an active AGM-158A. Typically, a training missile is used for such tests to avoid potential damage to an operational missile from unvalidated procedures. However, there are no training versions of the JASSM. The missile’s advanced sensors, range, and precision strike capabilities make the AGM-158A an invaluable asset reserved for operational use.
“This additional capability will significantly enhance the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s ability to support joint forces and enable greater freedom of maneuver across all operational domains”, Kirby added.
The Marine Corps’ strike platforms are poised to acquire long-range maritime strike capabilities with the inclusion of the AGM-158B JASSM-ER and the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) in the roadmap for weapon integration on the F-35B/C. The JASSM breathes new life into legacy C/D Hornets, enabling them to strike land targets at far greater distances than before, keeping jets farther from threats, and ensuring their relevance in future operations, particularly in highly contested scenarios.
The Marine Corps is gradually phasing out its F/A-18C/D Hornets, with the last set to retire by the end of the decade. Approximately 84 jets will remain in service until then, undergoing significant upgrades, including new weapons, APG-79(V)4 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, and enhanced electronic warfare suites. The Marines are replacing the remaining F/A-18C/Ds, along with AV-8B Harriers, with a mix of F-35B and F-35C aircraft.