JSOW C-1 networked with US Navy E-2D aircraft

The newest version of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 has been networked with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft as part of the US Navy’s Trident Warrior 2013 demonstration. The test saw communications established between an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and the JSOW C-1.

According to Raytheon, the demonstration saw fighters simulate the launch of a JSOW C-1 while the E-2D directed the weapon toward the positively identified target. The E-2D aircraft also received status updates sent from the JSOW C-1.

The team was also able to track and designate a target; simulate the launch of the JSOW; send, receive and acknowledge target updates; and receive bomb hit indication data from the weapon. 

Cmdr Errol Campbell, the US Navy's Precision Strike Weapons program office deputy program manager for the JSOW program, said: ‘The success of the Trident Warrior 2013 demonstration proves the feasibility of providing the fleet a means of executing the complete kill chain with carrier-based assets utilising the F/A-18E/F, JSOW C-1 and E-2D to engage maritime targets at range.’

Celeste Mohr, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems, added: ‘This test further verifies the flexibility and seamless plug-and-play connectivity of JSOW C-1's network-enabled capability. The test demonstrates the relative ease with which the US Navy can build on the ongoing integration of the JSOW C-1 on the US Navy's F/A-18 and expand the interoperability and connectivity to a fielded carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft.’

JSOW is a family of low-cost, air-to-ground weapons that employs an integrated GPS-inertial navigation system and terminal imaging infrared seeker. JSOW C-1 adds the two-way Strike Common Weapon Datalink to the combat-proven weapon, bringing a moving maritime target capability.