JSOW C-1 completes final integrated test
Raytheon and the US Navy have successfully completed the final free flight of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 in its integrated testing phase, the company announced on 15 April.
The JSOW C-1 demonstrated its effectiveness against maritime targets in motion during the development test. It is now on track to begin operational testing in the spring of 2015 and begin deliveries for the naval fleet in 2016 after the operational testing is successfully completed.
During the development test, two F/A-18E/F aircraft executed a pre-launch handoff, after which the weapon was released 35 nautical miles from the target. The aircraft transferred control of the weapon once again and sent a post-launch retargeting command to reroute the JSOW C-1 from its initial target ship to a higher priority target.
The JSOW C-1 gave real-time in-flight track and bomb hit indication status messages to the controlling aircraft while it flew to its target.
Celeste Mohr, JSOW programme director, Raytheon, said: ‘JSOW C-1 will be the US navy’s first air-launched, net enabled weapon to provide warfighters with the vital capability to engage both stationary land-based and manoeuvring sea-based targets.
‘The affordable JSOW is critical to countering today’s advanced, emerging threats.’
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
-
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
-
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.