Australia has added the acquisition of Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) for its F / A-18A / B aircraft to its projects of concern list.

The AIR 5418 Phase 1 project, approved in 2004, includes acquiring JASSM for deployment on F / A-18A / B aircraft to improve aircraft survivability and weapon effectiveness.

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare declared the project is behind schedule and that “risks to capability remain”.

The next major stage in the project is a live firing from an Australian F / A-18A / B in the US in late 2010 or early 2011.