What propulsion system does the AGM-158 JASSM utilize?

The AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) employs a turbojet engine for propulsion. The turbojet engine is designed to provide efficient high-speed performance over long distances, which is essential for standoff weapons like the JASSM that need to engage targets at a significant range while minimizing exposure to enemy defenses. Turbojet engines are particularly advantageous in achieving the cruising speeds necessary for stealthy and effective delivery of the missile to its target. This capability is crucial for the JASSM, which aims to penetrate enemy airspace with reduced radar cross-section and advanced guidance systems.

The other propulsion options do not provide the required performance characteristics for the JASSM; for example, piston engines are generally less effective at high speeds and altitudes, while rocket motors offer thrust but lack the sustained speed that turbojet engines provide in cruise mode. Turbofan engines, while efficient at subsonic speeds, are not utilized in munitions like the JASSM, which operates at supersonic speeds. Thus, the choice of a turbojet engine aligns perfectly with the operational requirements of the AGM-158 JASSM.