DATE=4/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229464
TITLE=NEW MISSILE (S)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS HAVE CHOSEN THE LOCKHEED MARTIN 
CORPORATION TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEALTHY, SMART  
MISSILES.  THE MORE THAN TWO BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT IS SUPPOSED  
TO DEVASTATE ENEMIES, AND SAFEGUARD U-S AIRCREWS.  V-O-A'S JIM 
RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. 

TEXT:   DEFENSE PLANNERS SAY AIR DEFENSES ARE GETTING TOUGHER, SO
TO PROTECT AIR CREWS, THEY ASKED TWO COMPANIES, BOEING AND 
LOCKHEED MARTIN TO COME UP WITH A MISSILE THAT CAN BE DROPPED 
FROM A BOMBER 185 KILOMETERS FROM A HEAVILY DEFENDED TARGET.

THE IRREPLACEABLE PILOTS AND EXPENSIVE WARPLANES TURN OUT OF 
HARM'S WAY WHILE THE SUICIDAL FLYING ROBOT BOMB SNEEKS PAST RADAR
AND FLINGS ITSELF, AND ITS EXPLOSIVES, AT A TARGET.

THE WEAPON USES ITS SMALL SIZE AND SPECIAL STEALTH FEATURES TO 
AVOID RADAR DETECTION. IT ALSO USES GUIDANCE FROM SATTELITE TO 
STRIKE TARGET WITH GREAT PRECISION.

AFTER A COMPETITION BETWEEN THE TWO COMPANIES, THE AIR FORCE 
CHOOSE THE LOCKHEED VERSION OF THE "JOINT AIR TO SURFACE STANDOFF
MISSILE," OR "JAZZ-EM."

THE AIR FORCE SAYS IT WILL BUY 24-HUNDRED OF THE WEAPONS, THE  
NAVY SAYS IT IS INTERESTED, BUT HAS NOT YET AGREED TO BUY THE 
BOMBS.  (SIGNED).

NEB/JR/WDC/PT

09-Apr-98 6:48 PM EDT (2248 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.