Navy demonstrates JSOW C-1 capabilities

• Tweet

CHINA LAKE, Calif., Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The capabilities of Raytheon's JSOW C-1 bomb to destroy stationary land targets and moving maritime targets has been demonstrated by the U.S. Navy.

In the first of two recent tests, the Joint Standoff Weapon – a guided glide bomb – was dropped from an F/A-18F Super Hornet and hit the wall of a simulated bunker. The bomb traveled 15.5 nautical miles and used 3-D navigational waypoints.

The test was to assess JSOW's capability against operationally realistic infrared and radio frequency countermeasures and was part of the integrated test phase of the upgraded weapon.

The second test, at the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake, Calif., was to assess the weapon's nighttime capabilities.

"These tests demonstrate that JSOW C-1 provides the U.S. and allied warfighters with a new dual capability to engage both stationary land targets and moving ships at range," said Celeste Mohr, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems.

"These tests help clear the way for the important operational test phase of the program scheduled to begin early next year."

Earlier tests by the Navy verified the weapon's capabilities against moving maritime targets.

The updated bomb features a weapon datalink radio and modified seeker software.