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Naval
Forces News - USA |
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U.S.
Navy Network-Enabled Standoff Weapon JSOW C-1 Completes Developmental
Test |
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The
U.S. Navy completed integrated test and evaluation of its first maritime,
network-enabled weapon, the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 Jan. 7
at the Sea Range at Point Mugu, California. |
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A Joint
Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 in flight off the coast of California in
2011. A JSOW C-1, similar to the one pictured, completed it last free-flight
test as part of integrated test and evaluation in January 2015. (U.S.
Navy photo) |
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The final
developmental free flight test of the JSOW C-1 demonstrated the weapon’s
effectiveness against maritime moving targets, an essential capability
to support the Navy’s anti-surface warfare mission.
“As we pivot to the Pacific, our capability to employ networked
precision strike across our kill chains and engage in offensive anti-surface
warfare is key to maintaining our strategic dominance in that theater,”
said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy’s Precision Strike Weapons
(PMA-201) program manager at Patuxent River. “I am proud of our
Navy and Raytheon team’s commitment to providing these advanced
capabilities to the warfighter.” |
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US Navy
F-18 with JSOW (Picture: Raytheon) |
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An update
to the JSOW-C, the C-1 variant incorporates a two-way strike common
weapon datalink enabling a moving maritime target capability. It is
equipped with an imaging infrared seeker and an autonomous target capability
to attack targets with precision accuracy.
During the test, the JSOW-C1, released from an F/A-18 Super Hornet,
scored a direct hit to a moving maritime target and met all primary
test objectives, Engdahl said. This event proved the system’s
readiness to begin operational test next month. |
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Aviation
Ordnancemen assigned to G-1 Division inspect Joint Stand Off Weapons
(JSOW) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) before transferring them
to waiting aircraft. Picture: US Navy |
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When
operational test commences, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9
will be responsible for implementing real-world scenarios using the
JSOW C-1 to verify that the weapon’s capability, suitability and
design will be fully responsive to warfighter needs.
“Operational test will provide the additional data points we need
to further assess the weapon’s capabilities, as well as assess
the JSOW C-1 in an operationally representative environment,”
said Cathy Metz, JSOW deputy program manager.
The weapon is slated for delivery to the fleet in 2016 after the successfully
completion of OT.
When operational, JSOW C-1 will provide joint force commanders with
an affordable, air-delivered, standoff weapon effective against both
moving maritime targets and fixed land targets. |