The U.S. Navy has declared the Joint Standoff Weapon C-1 (JSOW C-1), the newest variant of the air-launched weapon, ready for operations.

The guided glide weapon achieved its initial operational capability (IOC) last month after completing flight tests at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., and Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif. The tests, which achieved all objectives, included 10 shots involving maritime moving targets and stationary land targets, said Celeste Mohr, JSOW program manager for prime contractor Raytheon [RTN].jsow c-1

JSOW C-1 is equipped with a Link 16 datalink to allow it to receive real-time target updates from its launch platform or an alternate controller. This feature will allow the weapon to hit moving targets or be redirected to a different target while in flight, Raytheon said.

Capt. Jaime Engdahl, the Navy’s program manager for precision strike weapons, described JSOW C-1 as “the first of several net-enabled weapons required to maintain U.S. strategic dominance over enemy surface combatants.”

JSOW C-1 will first be deployed on F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, followed by F-35A/C Lightning IIs. The weapon has a standoff range of 70 nautical miles.