According to Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) manufacturer Raytheon Co, the launch of two JSOW Cs at Woomera from the RAAF’s new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter marks the first time a US ally has operationally tested a JSOW C.
This test series also marked the first time the JSOW C variant has been employed outside the continental US.
The RAAF Super Hornets conducted two firings of the JSOW C at the Woomera Test Range against two separate hardened concrete targets between 30 August and 15 September 2010.
Both targets were successfully destroyed and all test outcomes were achieved.
The RAAF has placed an order for the JSOW C-1, which is currently in production; deliveries are expected to begin in 2011.
The JSOW C-1 maintains the land attack capability of JSOW C and adds a moving maritime target capability by incorporating a datalink.
This enables the JSOW to receive target updates as it flies to its target.
JSOW is a family of low-cost, air-to-ground glide weapons with a range of 70 nautical miles (80.5 statute miles) that employs an integrated GPS-inertial navigation system and terminal uncooled infrared seeker that guides the weapon to the target.
The JSOW C carries a single BROACH warhead that has blast, fragmentation and penetration effects.
JSOW is integrated on all variants of the F/A-18 and will be integrated on the Joint Strike Fighter.