The A variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW-A) has successfully completed an initial series of developmental tests with an improved wind estimator capability.

JSOW-A has been used extensively in combat operations in Iraq, Serbia, and Afghanistan, delivering its 145 BLU-97 submunitions with a reliability and accuracy well within system specifications.

Recently, the JSOW program manager, Capt. Robert Wirt, challenged the government and contractor development team to enhance the wind estimation software in the weapon to account for all possible environmental conditions and ensure consistent precision employment.

In order to enable the wind estimation algorithm to more accurately calculate target area winds and dispense BLU-97 bomblets precisely on target, Navy, Air Force, and Raytheon engineers incorporated a unique combination of software improvements and end-game maneuvering.

Earlier this month, an F/A-18C/D piloted by Lt. Matt Finney of VX-31 launched a JSOW-A at the NAVAIR western test range complex. Launched from 35,000 feet and 29 nautical miles, the weapon glided to the target area and dispensed on target.

"I'm very excited about the performance of the improved wind estimator and the added capability it will provide to the warfighter," said Mike Glover, JSOW dispenser class desk engineer. The flight testing and extensive laboratory simulations demonstrated the improved accuracy of the weapon in all anticipated environmental conditions.

"Our JSOW government/industry team worked long and hard to complete all weapon system technical enhancements and I look forward to continued successes in upcoming operational testing," said Marianne Martin, JSOW dispenser assistant deputy program manager. Capt. Wirt further commented, "The platinum standard work of team JSOW has again kept the program on track to meet the warfighter's requirements."

JSOW-A is one of three different variants of a low-cost family of glide weapons using a common delivery vehicle. The JSOW-B variant carries the BLU-108 Sensor Fused Weapon bomblets for an anti-armor capability and is in low rate production. The JSOW-A and B versions are being produced for the U.S. Navy and Air Force for use on the F/A-18, F-16, F-15, B-1, B-2, and B-52 aircraft. The latest version, the JSOW-C, is in development and will begin production in 2003 for the U.S. Navy.

The JSOW program is managed by the Program Executive Office for Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (W)). To learn more about PEO (W), log on to the website at www.strikenet.js.mil.