AGM-154 JSOW
Main Points.
- Increased weapon and aircraft survivability
- Multiple launch capability against multiple targets
- Retargeting capability for targets of opportunity
- Joint service use
- Useful against substantial range of targets
The Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) is a family of air-to-surface glide weapons that ensures warfighter survivability by enabling precision air strike launches from well beyond most enemy air defense systems at standoff ranges up to 70 nm. The family of JSOW weapons is modular in design with variants that integrate different lethal submunitions, as well as a blast/fragmentation warhead, and a hardened target penetrator that can be programmed for blast and fragmentation effects. JSOW targets vary from all types of area targets to hard point targets such as concrete bunkers. JSOW’s low radar cross section and infrared signature are key stealth features and ensure a high probability of survival en route to highly defended targets.
AGM-154A (called Baseline JSOW) consists of 145 BLU-97B submunitions. Each bomblet is designed for multi-targets in one payload. The bomblets have a shaped charge for armor penetration capability, a fragmenting case for material destruction, and a zirconium ring for incendiary effects. This variant is under full-rate production.
AGM-154B contains the Air Force’s BLU-108 Sensor Fuzed Weapon submunitions. Each of the 24 submunitions use infrared to detect targets. Upon detection, the projectile detonates, creating an explosively formed, shaped charge capable of penetrating reinforced armor targets. This variant has completed Engineering and Manufacturing Development and production has been deferred.
AGM-154C (called the Unitary Variant) uses a combination of an Imaging Infrared terminal seeker and a two-way data link to achieve point target accuracy through aimpoint refinement and man-I-the-loop guidance. The AGM-154C will carry a variant of the MK-82 500-lb general-purpose bomb. This variant has achieved precision accuracy of about 4 feet, and is in full-rate production.
All JSOW variants are guided to the target area by an integrated Global Positioning Satellite system and an Inertial Measurement System (GPS/IMS). JSOW receives the target in pre-planned mode, in the cockpit with data received through on-board sensors, or through other third-party targeting assets. The payload bay can accommodate lethal and non-lethal warheads–from warheads to pamphlets to sensor packages.
JSOW is integrated on various aircraft including F-15, F-16, F/A-18, B-1, B-2 and B-52 variants, and is programmed for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. More that 2,000 JSOWs have been produced. JSOW was first used in combat over Iraq in January 1999.