The Raytheon-built Joint Standoff Weapon C-1 adds moving maritime target capability and the two-way strike common weapon datalink to the line of air-to-ground weapon. The U.S. Navy and Raytheon recently held the first operational testing of the weapon. (Image: Raytheon)
The U.S. Navy’s new Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 gliding, precision-guided missile was a hit in its first operational test shot, successfully destroying its target with a direct strike.
Jointly held by the Navy and the weapon’s developer, Raytheon, the trial began with an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet launching the JSOW at a height of approximately 29,000 feet. After the launch, the weapon “flew a flawless, preplanned route” to its land-based target before destroying it “with precision accuracy,” according to a statement from Raytheon. The target had been using tactical countermeasures in an attempt to throw the weapon off.
Raytheon said the test further conveyed the weapon’s ability to destroy a broad range of land targets.
“This test demonstrated yet again JSOW’s ability to deliver decisive battlefield effects with precision stand-off capability against some of the most challenging land targets facing our warfighters,” said Celeste Mohr, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. “Naval aviators also recently employed JSOW C in a tactically realistic, cave-defeat scenario that included heavy radio frequency countermeasures. The result was two direct hits.”
The first operational test shot was followed by successful seven-for-seven launches against stationary land targets and maritime moving targets, all of which occurred during developmental and integration test phases.
JSOW C-1 is similar to the JSOW C in terms of its standoff land attack capabilities, and that it can destroy a target after being launched from more than 100 kilometers away. The weapon is an upgrade over its predecessor in that it features an innovative two-way Link 16 data link to destroy moving maritime targets.
JSOWs are air-to-ground weapons that use a GPS-inertial navigation system and guidance algorithms to perform missions.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
