The U.S. Navy has declared the Joint Standoff Weapon C-1 (JSOW C-1), the latest variant of the air-to-ground weapon, as ready for full operational capability (FOC).

JSOW C-1 is a guided glide weapon equipped with a Link 16 datalink, allowing it to receive real-time target updates from the launch platform or an alternate controller. This means it can hit moving targets or be redirected in flight.

A Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 impacts a target during a March 2016 flight test at Point Mugu Sea Test Range, Calif. (Photo: U.S. Navy).
A Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 impacts a target during a March 2016 flight test at Point Mugu Sea Test Range, Calif. (Photo: U.S. Navy).

The C-1 variant also includes Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Unit guidance and a terminal infrared (IR) seeker.

The prime contractor for the program is Raytheon [RTN].

The Navy said Wednesday that now all U.S. squadrons are currently outfitted with the network-enabled JSOW C-1.

Cmdr. Sam Messer, the JSOW deputy program manager,highlighted formal FOC is the final step in a phased approach to introduce the weapon’s 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,” he said in a statement.

JSOW C-1 first achieved initial operational capability (IOC) last year following flight tests (Defense Daily, July 12, 2016).