NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Lockheed Martin and Turkish company Roketsan are teaming up to develop a next-generation, air-to-surface standoff cruise missile for the F-35 fighter jet.

The new SOM-J will be integrated into the F-35's internal weapons bay, according to a Sept. 16 Lockheed press release. SOM-J integration into the fighter jet is scheduled for follow-on development software, Block 4, which will come online in the 2020s.

The companies will conduct early live flight testing on Turkish F-16s.

SOM-J provides pilots enhanced capability to engage targets from long ranges, while still maintaining the F-35's stealth capabilities, according to the statement. SOM-J is a smaller version of the subsonic SOM missile, which the Turkish Air Force has been using since 2011.

The recent contract agreement enables the two companies to move forward with a Technical Assistance Agreement, which makes the SOM-J missile available to international customers.

"This contract signing, and subsequent approval of the Technical Assistance Agreement, continues our strong relationship with Lockheed Martin," said Emin Alpman, chairman of the board at Roketsan, according to the statement. "Offering SOM-J to the international F-35 marketplace will bring critical business to Turkey and provide an important capability to allied nations."