Norway, Australia To Co-Develop Radio Frequency Seeking Capability For Joint Strike Missile

Norway and Australia have signed a deal to develop a Radio Frequency (RF)-seeking capability for the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), which is planned to be integrated onto Norway's F-35.

Under the agreement signed on September 15, Australia will finance part of the development of the new seeker capability. The RF-seeking capability will enable the missile to locate targets based on electronic signature. Its development is based on a technology known as "imaging infra red". BAE Australia will develop and integrate the capability, the Norwegian ministry of defense announced Monday.

The new seeker will provide JSM dual-seeker capability, which enables the missile to operate in all weather conditions, Executive Vice President of Kongsberg Group and President of KDS Harald Ånnestad said Monday. If Australia plans to procure later the JSM, developed by Norwegian Kongsberg Defence Systems, both the nations will share the cost of integrating the JSM on the F-35.

JSM is a long-range, precision-guided missile that will be carried internally in the F-35.It will be integrated on Norway's F-35 in the first phase of follow-on development in the 2022-2024 time frame.

"This agreement is a prime example of instances where two nations, each bringing their own specialties and skills to the table, are able to build a better system by working together compared to what they could have done on their own," Norwegian Minister of Defence Ine Eriksen Søreide said.