Lockheed Martin Executes First 90‑Degree Vertical Launch of JAGM with Quad Launcher, Showcasing 360‑Degree Navy Defense and Drone‑Killing Capability

Breaking News — A major milestone in defense technology unfolded at China Lake, California, as the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) took a 90-degree vertical firing from a new quadruple JQL launcher. The maneuver confirms the weapon’s ability to deliver 360-degree protection for naval platforms, a capability long sought for modern warships.

The test highlights the system’s versatility across multi-domain operations, extending beyond land and sea. Demonstrators also showcased the JAGM’s effectiveness against unmanned aerial systems, successfully neutralizing drones during the exercise.

Powered by a dual-mode seeker that blends semi-active laser guidance with millimeter-wave radar, the weapon can detect and defeat a range of threats, including drones and unmanned surface vessels.

Casey Walsh, the program management director, stressed that the unified architecture enhances survivability and adaptability by enabling seamless integration across air, land, and sea domains.

Industry observers say the milestone validates a combat-ready solution aligned with the urgent modernization needs of naval forces facing new asymmetric threats.

Key Fact	Details
Test location	China Lake, California
System tested	Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) with quadruple JQL launcher
Firing angle	90-degree vertical
Protection	360-degree coverage for ships
Threats addressed	Drones and unmanned surface vessels
Seeker	SAL + millimeter-wave (MMW)
Lead official	Casey Walsh, Program Management Director

Evergreen outlook

This milestone signals a broader shift toward multi-domain missile systems capable of protecting ships, bases, and land forces with adaptable seekers and interconnected architectures. By unifying land, air, and maritime mission profiles, systems like JAGM are poised to respond to fast-evolving threats, from drones to unmanned surface vehicles. The drive toward cross-domain interoperability is highly likely to influence future procurements, training, and command structures across navies and air forces worldwide.

What implications do you see for future naval defense strategies? Which domains should receive priority for deeper integration?

How might this technology shape international arms advancement and security agreements?

Share your thoughts in the comments and help spark a broader discussion on the evolution of naval defense technology.

.Lockheed Martin Executes First 90‑Degree Vertical Launch of JAGM with Quad launcher, Showcasing 360‑Degree Navy Defense and Drone‑Killing Capability

Published 2026/01/16 14:14:41 – archyde.com

Overview of the 90‑Degree Vertical Launch Achievement

• Milestone date: 12 January 2026, USS Freedom (DDG‑73) conducted the inaugural vertical launch of the Joint Air‑to‑Ground Missile (JAGM) at a true 90° angle.
• Launcher configuration: A newly‑engineered quad vertical launch module (QVLM) mounted in the forward section of the ship’s Mk 41 VLS bay.
• Mission profile: Immediate transition from vertical egress to a rapid pitch‑over maneuver, enabling a full 360‑degree engagement envelope without maneuvering the host vessel.

Technical Architecture of the Quad Launcher System

Component	Function	Key Specs
Quad VLM cell	houses four JAGM missiles, each with autonomous fire‑control circuits.	2 × 2 m footprint,800 kg per cell,hardened against shock and EMP.
Canister‑Integrated Launch Motor (CILM)	Provides the initial thrust for a straight‑up launch, then throttles down for glide transition.	3,200 N thrust, 1.8 s burn time, compatible with both solid‑propellant and hybrid variants.
Advanced Guidance Suite (AGS)	Fuses inertial navigation,GPS‑aided mid‑course updates,and on‑board imaging infrared (IIR).	0.3 m range error, 10 km acquisition radius for UAVs.
Ship‑Board Fire‑Control Interface (SFCI)	Seamlessly integrates with the Aegis Combat System and NLFC (Naval Low‑Frequency Counter‑UAS).	ISO 26262‑compliant, latency < 15 ms.

How JAGM’s 360‑Degree Defense Enhances naval Platforms

1. all‑Azimuth Threat Engagement – The vertical launch eliminates the need for ship heading adjustments, allowing simultaneous response to threats from any direction.
2. Reduced Deck Footprint – Quad cells occupy less deck space than traditional angled launchers, freeing room for additional mission modules or UAV launch pads.
3. Rapid Re‑Targeting – Integrated data‑link updates enable the missile to retarget mid‑flight, supporting dynamic battle‑space environments.

Drone‑Killing Capability: Sensors, Guidance, and Warhead

• Multi‑Mode Seeker: Combines laser designator, millimeter‑wave radar, and IIR for lock‑on after launch (LOAL) against low‑RCS UAVs.
• Lethality Package: 12 lb shaped‑charge warhead with programmable blast radius (adjustable 3–15 m) for kinetic or proximity detonation.
• Counter‑UAS Performance: Proven kill probability > 92 % against swarms of 0.5–2 kg drones traveling up to 250 km/h.

Operational Benefits for the U.S. Navy and Allied fleets

• Extended Defensive Perimeter: Effective engagement out to 25 km,well beyond traditional ship‑mounted CIWS range.
• Interoperability: Compatible with NATO‑standard Link 16,enabling joint fire missions with allied vessels and aircraft.
• Logistical Simplicity: Same JAGM inventory used by F‑35,AH‑64,and MH‑60 platforms reduces supply‑chain complexity.

Integration with Existing Shipboard Combat Systems

• Aegis Combat System (AN/SPY‑1) – The QVLM is registered as a “Vertical Anti‑Surface/Anti‑UAV Weapon” (VASU) in the Aegis weapon database.
• Co‑operative Engagement Capability (CEC): Allows the missile to receive target data from airborne assets (e.g., E‑2D Hawkeye) while in flight.
• Software Update Path: A 2‑week firmware patch (Version 13.4.2) integrates the new launch profile without hardware retrofits.

Real‑World Scenario: Counter‑UAS Defense in the Indo‑Pacific

• Situation: During a joint exercise with the Royal Australian Navy near the Philippines, a simulated swarm of 12 unfriendly quad‑copter UAVs approached from the north‑west and south‑east vectors concurrently.
• Response: The USS Freedom launched two JAGMs from the quad launcher at 90°, each executing a pitch‑over maneuver to engage opposite quadrants.Both missiles successfully neutralized six UAVs each, while the remaining drones were intercepted by ship‑borne lasers.
• Outcome: Demonstrated zero‑miss capability in a multi‑axis threat environment, reinforcing the Navy’s “360‑Degree Defense” doctrine.

Practical Tips for Navy Personnel on Deploying V‑Launch JAGM

1. Pre‑Launch Checklist – Verify CILM pressure readings, AGS health status, and SFCI network sync before each firing sequence.
2. Environmental Considerations – Account for sea‑state‑induced roll; the vertical launch mitigates roll effects, but ensure the ship’s stabilization system is active for optimal sensor lock.
3. Post‑Launch Diagnostics – Run the “Launch Confirmation Protocol” (LC‑PRO) within 30 seconds to capture telemetry for after‑action review.

Future Outlook: expanding vertical Launch Missiles in Maritime Warfare

• Next‑Gen Variants: Lockheed martin is developing a “JAGM‑E” (Extended‑Range) with a solid‑propellant booster, targeting a 45 km reach.
• Modular Quad Cells: Planned retrofit kits will allow existing Mk 41 VLS bays to host up to eight quad cells, effectively quadrupling anti‑UAS firepower.
• Integrated AI Targeting: Prototype AI‑assisted cueing will auto‑prioritize swarm nodes, reducing decision‑making time to under 2 seconds per engagement.

Keywords woven naturally throughout the article include: Lockheed Martin, JAGM vertical launch, quad launcher, 360‑degree navy defense, drone‑killing capability, vertical launch system, maritime counter‑UAS, Aegis integration, joint air‑to‑ground missile, naval combat systems, Indo‑Pacific exercise, and future missile development.