Raytheon demonstrates new Joint Standoff Weapon Extended Range integrated fuel system

: Posted On Tuesday, 09 April 2013 17:05

Defense Industry News - USA

Raytheon demonstrates new Joint Standoff Weapon Extended Range integrated fuel system

Raytheon Company successfully demonstrated a new integrated fuel system for the company's extended range version of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW ER). During the test, a new production representative tactical fuel tank and fuel delivery system were integrated with the TJ-150 turbojet engine on a modified JSOW C-1 air vehicle.

The functional ground test verified the end-to-end operations of a powered JSOW with the new tactical fuel system, which confirmed the weapon can extend its current range by four times, to more than 250 nautical miles. The functional ground test is a continuation of the design-and-build effort of the tactical fuel system and its air vehicle integration, evolving the JSOW ER from its 2009 successful joint free-flight technology demonstration configuration between Raytheon and the U.S. Navy. The weapon flew 264 nautical miles during the demonstration.

US Navy F-18 with JSOW
(Picture: Raytheon)

"This test further verifies Raytheon can answer U.S. and allied warfighter concerns regarding advanced threat systems by extending the standoff range of a proven weapon system, while maintaining all of the JSOW C-1 strengths of survivability, lethality, affordability and networked-enabled capability," said Celeste Mohr, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "This test clears the way for our upcoming captive carry test that will bring JSOW ER one step closer to the warfighter."

The functional ground test integrated subsystems with high technology readiness level components from Raytheon and its industry partners. Prior to the functional ground test, a fuel characterization test was conducted on the new fuel tank and fuel delivery system; the test exceeded expectations by demonstrating higher than predicted usable fuel in simulated operational environments. Raytheon conducted both tests using company research and development funding.

The JSOW ER retains the current shape and form of JSOW C-1, minimizing fleet integration costs while providing the warfighter with the capability to engage moving maritime targets as well as stationary land targets at an extended range. The weapon also maintains JSOW C-1's datalink radio and modified seeker software for significant capability in the anti-surface warfare mission.

JSOW is a family of affordable, air-to-ground weapons that employ an integrated GPS- inertial navigation system.
(Picture: Raytheon)

About the Joint Standoff Weapon
JSOW is a family of low-cost, air-to-ground weapons that employ an integrated GPS-inertial navigation system and terminal imaging infrared seeker. JSOW C-1 adds the two-way Strike Common Weapon Datalink to the combat-proven weapon, enabling a moving maritime target capability.

» JSOW C-1 is the world's first network-enabled weapon with a range of more than 100 kilometers.
» The U.S. Navy's first two JSOW C-1 free-flight tests also resulted in direct hits on their moving ship targets.
» The low cost, low risk development spiral of JSOW ER extends the standoff range to more than 250 nautical miles. The JSOW family is the only internally carried anti-surface warfare and integrated air defense standoff weapon on the F-35A and F-35C aircraft roadmap.