Navy's JSOW-C Approved for Full Rate Production

Story Number: NNS050106-06
Release Date: 1/6/2005 3:05:00 PM

By Sandy Schroeder, Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy awarded Raytheon
Company, Waltham, Mass., a $55.7 million contract to initiate Full Rate
Production of the JSOW Unitary (JSOW-C) weapon Dec. 23. The work will be
completed by Raytheon Missile Systems located in Tucson, Ariz.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and
Acquisition John J. Young Jr. approved Full Rate Production after the
weapon completed a highly successful series of tests by the Commander,
Operational Test and Evaluation Force.

The tests included a wide array of targets, ranging from radar sites to
caves and hardened bunkers, and upon completion, the JSOW-C was graded
as "Operationally Effective and Suitable" for military use.

The Navy plans to buy 189 JSOW-C weapons, logistics support, and
ancillary hardware under this first production contract.

"I am pleased with the weapon's performance in operational tests, and I
commend Raytheon on their aggressive cost reduction program and the
resulting significant reduction in the weapon's price tag," said Young.
"To encourage further cost reduction measures, I have approved
buy-to-budget authority so that future weapons savings may be reinvested
in the procurement of additional weapons in order to encourage further
cost reductions."

The weapon employs an un-cooled, long-wave infrared seeker with
automatic target acquisition. Raytheon developed the weapon, which is
designed to provide the Navy with a "launch-and-leave", standoff
precision strike capability.

The JSOW-C will be the first U.S. weapon to incorporate the two-stage
Broach lethal package developed by BAE Systems that provides blast,
fragmentation, and penetration capability.

JSOW-C is integrated on F/A-18C/D/E/F Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft
and is compatible with the Joint Strike Fighter, F-15 Eagle, B-1 Lancer,
B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, and F-16C/D Fighting Falcon aircraft.
Weapons produced under the Low Rate Initial Production contract awarded
in March 2003 began delivery in September 2004.

"JSOW-C will deploy early in 2005 and will represent a significant
addition to our warfighting capability," said Capt. David Dunaway, the
Navy's JSOW program manager.

AGM-154C JSOW
The Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) is a modular, family of low-cost weapons designed for high precision strikes from well beyond enemy air defenses. The 3 baseline models carry several submunitions as the warhead or unitary blast fragmentation and penetration warheads. These warheads array enable JSOW gliders to attack soft area targets, armored vehicles and hardened point targets. JSOW also features low-signature/stealth design to engage actively defended targets.

The JSOW weapon variants are guided to the target by a GPS and INS aided navigation system. Target position can be updated by the launch aircraft or a third party through JSOW's on-board communication system. The C model is the only one provided with a seeker to be used in the terminal phase of the flight. The modular design allows future growth incorporating new sensors, warheads and submunitions. AGM-154's back section can accommodate a turbojet for extended range up to 220 kilometers.

Since 1999 the JSOW weapon has been employed successfully during military operations Southern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom (2002) and Iraqi Freedom (2003). The F-16, F/A-18, B-1, B-2, B-52, F-15E, F-35 and many other aircraft are compatible with the JSOW weapon. Total production for the US military is planned in excess of 20,000 units.

The AGM-154C carries the Mk 82 250 kilograms warhead (BLU-111/B) with penetration and blast fragmentation effects to destroy hardened point targets. The C model has an uncooled, long wave IR seeker with automatic target acquisition algorithms to better achieve its target in the terminal phase of the flight. It has been designed to meet the requirements of the US Navy.

JSOW-C or JSOW unitary incorporates two-stage BAE Systems' Broach blast fragmentation/penetration warhead. Thales will provide the fuze. The JSOW glider will be capable of attacking hardened targets (radar sites, caves and hardened bunkers) in a near horizontal mode. Operational test and evaluation was completed in September 2004 at China Lake, California, and was assessed 'suitable and effective' December that year by COMOPTEVFOR.

The Department of Defense awarded Raytheon a $57 million contract for full rate production of JSOW-C unitary weapon on 6 January 2005. The decision came after the weapon completed a highly successful series of tests. The Navy aim was to buy 189 JSOW-Cs under this contract. As of January 2005, C-variant was already integrated on F/A-18C/D/E/F aircraft and was fully compatible with F-35 JSF, F-15 Eagle, F-16C/D, B-1, B-2 and B-52.