All About JASSM‑ER: US Deploys Most Deadly 600-Mile Range Stealth Missile For Iran War

Last Updated:April 05, 2026, 08:48 IST

JASSM-ER, or Joint Air-to-Surface Missile Extended Range, can strike targets over 600 miles away while avoiding enemy air defences. The shorter-range JASSM has reach of 250 miles.

The JASSM-ER, one of the United States’ most advanced and lethal long-range cruise missiles, has now become central to Washington’s war against Iran. Designed to strike targets from over 600 miles away while evading air defences, the weapon allows US forces to hit deep inside enemy territory without exposing pilots to direct risk.

As the conflict intensifies, the US is repositioning a large share of these stealth missiles from global stockpiles to bases linked to Iran.

$1.5 million missile

According to a Bloomberg report, the United States is preparing to deploy nearly its entire stock of JASSM-ER cruise missiles in the ongoing military operation against Iran. Orders were issued in late March to withdraw the $1.5 million missiles from Pacific reserves, with additional weapons from the continental US and other locations being redirected to US Central Command bases and Fairford in the United Kingdom.

After the redeployment, only about 425 missiles will remain from a pre-war inventory of around 2,300. Around 75 were found unserviceable due to damage or technical faults, a Bloomberg report said. The remaining operational stock would be enough for about 17 B-1B bomber missions.

What is JASSM-ER?

The JASSM-ER, or Joint Air-to-Surface Missile Extended Range, can strike targets over 600 miles away while avoiding enemy air defences. The shorter-range JASSM has a reach of about 250 miles.

Nearly two-thirds of US missile stockpiles have now been committed to the Iran conflict. Since the air campaign began on February 28, more than 1,000 JASSM-ER missiles have been used in the first four weeks alone.

Strain on US military stockpiles

The heavy use of long-range weapons has helped reduce risks to personnel by allowing strikes from a distance. However, it has also sharply reduced inventories meant for potential conflicts with more advanced adversaries such as China.

Replenishing these stockpiles could take years at current production rates. The US has funded the purchase of over 6,200 JASSM missiles since 2009, though production of the original version ended about a decade ago.

Lockheed Martin is expected to produce 396 JASSM-ER missiles in 2026, with the capacity to increase output to 860 per year if production lines are fully dedicated.

Although US and Israeli forces say they have weakened Iran’s air defence network, losses have continued. A US F-15E fighter jet was shot down on Friday. An A-10 aircraft was also downed, and two combat search-and-rescue helicopters were damaged, according to reports. Iran has also destroyed more than a dozen MQ-9 drones.

JASSM-ER missiles have been launched from B-52 and B-1B bombers as well as strike fighters. Not all deployed missiles are expected to be used.

Trump’s warning

Uncertainty remains over the next phase of the campaign as more ground forces, including Marines and paratroopers, move into the region. There is speculation about a possible move to seize Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil exports.

US President Donald Trump said in a speech that “over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the stone ages where they belong," without clarifying what he meant.

US military strategy

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine said B-52 bombers have begun flying over Iran, indicating improved access to airspace. This could allow the use of cheaper JDAM precision-guided bombs.

However, analysts have raised concerns about the reliance on long-range stand-off weapons. Kelly Grieco said the delayed use of older B-52 bombers raises questions about this strategy.

Iran has launched more than 1,600 ballistic missiles and around 4,000 Shahed-type cruise missiles across the region, according to Gulf officials. Defending against ballistic threats alone could require at least 3,200 interceptor missiles.

Production limits remain a concern. Lockheed Martin currently produces about 650 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors each year and plans to increase this to 2,000 annually by 2030. THAAD interceptor production stands at 96 per year, with plans to raise it to 400.

The US has also fired hundreds of Tomahawk cruise missiles during the campaign. Before the war, stockpiles included about 4,000 Tomahawks, including older and anti-ship versions.

RTX Corp. produced around 100 new missiles in 2025, while about 240 older ones were upgraded to the latest Block V standard.

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