US, Turkey to Create New Cruise Missile for F-35 Fighter Jet

The US defense contractor Lockheed Martin will collaborate with Turkish company Roketsan on creating of a new cruise missile intended to arm the F-35 fighter jet.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States and Turkey are partnering to create a new cruise missile intended to arm the fifth generation F-35 fighter jet, Lockheed Martin said in a release on Wednesday.

"Lockheed Martin… and Turkish company Roketsan signed a contract to cooperatively develop the SOM-J missile for integration into the F-35 internal weapons bay," Lockheed Martin said.

The partnership will allow the SOM-J air-to-surface cruise missiles to be fully integrated into the F-35 jet’s arms capabilities, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Vice President Frank St. John said.

"SOM-J integration on the F-35 will enable pilots to engage targets from long ranges while maintaining the aircraft’s critical stealth capabilities," St. John explained.

Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Rokestan, he added, will bring business to Turkey, and will provide US allies important missile capabilities.

The development of the SOM-J cruise missile began in 2006, and launch tests with the Turkish Air Force have started in 2011.