Raytheon Tests JSOW-ER As Anti-Ship Weapon

[unhappycamper]

Raytheon Tests JSOW-ER As Anti-Ship Weapon
Aviation Week's DTI | November 02, 2009

Raytheon has conducted the first free-flight test of a powered, extended-range version of its Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW-ER) as the U.S. Navy prepares to begin an analysis of alternatives (AOA) for anti-ship missiles to replace the Harpoon.

The Oct. 1 test involved a JSOW glide weapon modified to demonstrate that a Hamilton Sundstrand TJ150 turbojet could be installed within the outer mold line of the basic "truck." The weapon's BLU-111 warhead was hollowed out to act as the fuel tank.

The demonstration vehicle was released from a Navy F/A-18 over the Pacific Missile Test Range off Pt. Mugu, Calif., deployed its wing, started the engine and flew for more than 260 naut. mi, says Raytheon program director Phyllis McEnroe.

Raytheon's threshold range target was 150 naut. mi. and objective was 250 naut. mi. Installing the fuel tank behind a smaller warhead would allow a production JSOW-ER to reach 300 naut. mi., she says.

The test, funded with $4 million earmarked by Congress, demonstrated level flight, navigation via three-dimensional waypoints and terminal maneuvering. Raytheon is looking for funding to continue work, saying the weapon could be fielded in four years as a follow-on to the unpowered, datalink-equipped JSOW C-1 now under development for the Navy.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,205111,00.html

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. It's big, slow, and not that stealthy.

How many billions will we spend on this trawler killer?