AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon [JSOW] JSOW-C

The Navy-only variant of JSOW is the AGM-154C. The JSOW Unitary (AGM-154C) variant has a terminal seeker, Autonomus Target Acquisition (ATA) capability, and a unitary warhead to enable the attack of blast/fragmentation targets. The JSOW Unitary will provide increased accuracy and lethality and the capability for aimpoint selection. The Unitary Systems Development and Demonstration (SD&D) program develops the terminal seeker and ATA capbility, and integrates these with a 500 lb class "Unitary" warhead, the British Royal Augmentation Charge (BROACH) Multiple Warhead System (MWS).

The AGM-154C, in addition to the common GPS/INS guidance, will use an autonomous imaging infrared seeker for target acquisition and terminal guidance. The JSOW-C incorporates a Raytheon-developed uncooled, long-wave infrared seeker with ATA algorithms, thus providing the Navy with a launch-and-leave weapon with standoff precision strike capability.

The BROACH MWS provides blast/fragmentation effects as well as enhanced penetration capability against hard point targets. The Broach warhead, consisting of an augmenting charge and a follow-through bomb, can be set to explode both warheads simultaneously or sequentially. The AGM-154C is designed to attack point targets vulnerable to blast and fragmentation effects and point targets vulnerable to penetration, such as industrial facilities, logistical systems, and hardened facilities. BROACH MWS development and integration risk is reduced significantly by the on going BROACH developmental efforts of the United Kingdom Storm Shadow Program, the JSOW Foreign Warhead Comparative Testing previously conducted, and the early provisioning for BROACH in the JSOW Unitary Roadmap.

In June 2002 a Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) test team and its industry partner, Raytheon Company, conducted a successful test of its AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) program at the NAVAIR Western Test Range Complex. This event marked the third successful free-flight demonstration of the JSOW Unitary (JSOW-C) warhead variant using waypoint navigation and autonomous target acquisition (ATA) capability. An F/A-18C/D pilot of test squadron VX-31 released the AGM-154C while flying at 14,000 feet and 0.75 Mach. The weapon then navigated autonomously through several waypoints to begin searching for the vertical target approximately 12 nautical miles from the launch point. Aircraft separation, mid-course guidance followed by target acquisition and subsequent impact were completed as predicted. This is the last in a series of initial seeker development and ATA algorithm tests. Unique to this test event, the target was a vertical structure that is representative of targets such as dams and building walls. Achieving impact for this sort of target greatly stresses the JSOW Unitary seeker.

Unitary variant Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) and Low Rate Initial Production was planned for FY 2003, with Full Rate Production beginning in FY 2004. On 16 November 2004 Raytheon Company officially presented US Navy officials with the first production sample of the unitary/penetration variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW-C), the newest version of the unpowered air-to-ground weapon system. The delivery ceremony took place at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson.

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 on Dec. 23, 2004. The work was to 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.

As of early January 2005, plans called for the Navy to buy 189 JSOW-C weapons, logistics support and ancillary hardware under this first production contract. 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 and will be 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 achieved initial operational capability in February 2005 with the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. It is currently being produced for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' F/A-18 Hornets and has been ordered by Poland and Turkey for use on F-16 Fighting Falcons.

As of early 2008 JSOW-C was in full-rate production. At that time the Navy reportedly intended to purchase a total of 7,000 JSOW-C missiles.

AGM-154C JSOW-C Block II

The JSOW program office has developed a JSOW-C Block II, which provides the same capability as its predecessor at nearly one-third lower cost. This proactive cost reduction initiative resulted in program savings of $421 million mostly by improving the modularity and simplicity of the JSOW's design.

FY 2007 included funding to integrate a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) based GPS receiver per the Joint Chiefs of Staff mandate. Concurrent with the SAASM integration, a new computer processor was integrated to replace the existing obsolete 486 processor. The effort focused on concurrent cost reduction opportunities (termed Block II). FY 2008 included funding to complete Follow-on Test & Evaluation of AGM-154C Block II. FY 2007-2013 includes funding to integrate new functionality into the Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS) and Common Unique Planning Component (CUPC).

AGM-154C-1 / JSOW-C-1 / JSOW Block III

The JSOW-C-1 variant, also known as a JSOW Block III, provides upgraded capability to strike moving land targets as well as maritime targets. The JSOW-C-1 will be introduced to the fleet as an engineering change proposal to the existing Block II JSOW-C base line. JSOW-C-1 will employ a secure, jam-resistant, high-speed digital tactical data link using Link-16. It also will provide attributes necessary for launch and control or relay of weapon data links by F/A-18E/F aircraft. Future increments will address other control platforms, weapon and data link options.

The JSOW-C-1 will incorporate new target tracking algorithms into the seeker for moving targets, giving Joint force commanders an affordable, air-delivered standoff weapon that is effective against fixed and relocatable land and maritime targets. The JSOW-C-1 system must maintain legacy JSOW-C functionality to be effective against point ?targets in or through adverse weather conditions, both day and night. JSOW-C-1 must provide low and high altitude launch capability to enable launch platforms to stand off beyond target point defenses. Used in conjunction with accurate targeting information and anti-radiation weapons, JSOW-C-1 will destroy enemy air defenses and create sanctuaries that permit the rapid transition to low-cost, direct attack ordnance.

The JSOW AGM-154C-1 variant recently entered the system design and development phase.

FY 2007-2010 also includes funding for development, integration, qualification and follow-on developmental/operational test and evaluation of a Network Enabled Weapon moving target capability into the JSOW Unitary weapon (termed Block III/AGM-154C-1). The moving target capability will be inserted as an engineering change proposal beginning with FY 2009 procured JSOW-C weapons. The new AGM-154C-1 capability will enable the weapon to attack sea moving targets via real-time pre-and post-launch targeting updates.