Kongsberg's Joint Strike Missile is in the last stages of its qualification process, with development activities due to be completed this autumn.
Integration onto the Lockheed Martin F-35A for the Royal Norwegian Air Force will take place with the Block 4 software update, says the nation's defence ministry, achieving full operational capability by 2025.
A final test firing in March was successful, says Geir Håøy, chief executive of Kongsberg, and a final design review was due to be completed in June.
The last trial firings were conducted by a US Air Force F-16 in Utah, where all elements of the missile – including the engine and targeting and guidance system – were successfully tested together.
Oslo will now acquire a number of test munitions for the integration effort with the F-35A.
Although Norway is the only declared customer for the missile, Australia has provided funding for the integration of a BAE Systems-supplied RF seeker onto the JSM.
"Several other nations that will acquire the F-35 have similar operational needs to Norway and have shown a significant interest in JSM," says the defence ministry.
Norway intends to acquire a total of 52 conventional take-off and landing F-35As.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
