Military

Navy's JSOW-C Approved for Full Rate Production

Navy NewsStand

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.