U.S. Air Force Plans Major Increase in Lockheed Stealth Missile Stockpile
According to the latest budget documents, the U.S. Air Force plans to procure nearly 4,300 long-range stealth cruise missiles from Lockheed Martin over the next five years. The U.S. military previously used these weapons against targets in Iran. Procurement of these Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) will continue until 2031.
The U.S. Air Force plans to purchase 821 of the missiles in the fiscal year beginning October 1, up from 144 in the current fiscal year. Annual procurement is expected to rise to nearly 900 in fiscal year 2028 and remain at 860 per fiscal year in subsequent years. The goal is to bring U.S. stockpiles to over 11,000 by 2031, having already procured 6,700 by 2025.
These funding arrangements follow a record $1.5 trillion defense budget request proposed by the Trump administration, 42% higher than this year’s budget. The request is essentially a wish list of projects seeking funding. The final decision rests with Congress, and such a large increase in defense spending is unlikely to be approved in the face of opposition from fiscal conservatives and Democrats.
Budget data released Wednesday does not yet include replenishments for weapons used in the conflict with Iran, as the budget request was completed before the U.S. began military action. Replenishments for these expended weapons may appear in subsequent supplemental defense budgets.