The US Navy’s Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 has been formally declared ready for full operational capability (FOC).
The JSOW C-1 is an air-to-ground, network-enabled weapon that is designed to engage stationary land and moving maritime targets.
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It previously achieved initial operational capability in 2016.
The weapon is equipped with GPS / INS guidance, a terminal IR seeker and a Link 16 weapon data link system.
JSOW deputy programme manager commander Sam Messer said: “Formal declaration of full operational capability for JSOW C-1 is the final step in a phased approach to introducing this weapon and its capabilities to the fleet.
“It is the culmination of a complete team effort to deliver not only the hardware, but the training, tactics development and support infrastructure to ensure we field a meaningful warfighting capability.”
The JSOW C-1 system was put through a series of exercises to demonstrate its capabilities in a variety of scenarios prior to reaching FOC.
It was also deployed during RIMPAC 2016 to execute a virtual network-enabled weapon mission, as well as a JSOW C-1 mission on-board a Super Hornet attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9).
In addition, CVW-5 in Atsugi, Japan, conducted the first operational shots of the JSOW C-1 during the Valiant Shield 2016 SINKEX.
Furthermore, the weapon was engaged during the Northern Edge 2017 contingency exercise, which facilitated network-enabled weapon kill-chain CONOPS development at all threat levels.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Super Hornets also employed JSOW C-1 captive air training missiles alongside their US Navy counterparts to conduct 12 maritime strike exercise events during the biennial exercise Talisman Sabre 2017.
