Yowser, JSOW-ER!

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"The objective of the JSOW-ER [Joint Standoff Weapon Extended Range] program is to provide United States and international warfighters with a low-cost, extended-range missile," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Strike Weapons at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson. "We plan to offer the warfighter a 300 nautical mile (approximately 345 statute miles) weapon with a price goal of $350,000, far less expensive than similar capability weapons currently in the warfighter's inventory."

JSOW-ER will enable additional mission areas than possible with the current Joint Standoff Weapon range of up to 70 nautical miles (approximately 80.5 statute miles), and additional payload options will also be considered with JSOW-ER.

The development of a Block III variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon has begun. A weapons data link will be added to provide a moving target capability and the capability of in-flight communications. Missile health, status and position can be transmitted by the weapon up to the time of impact. The weapon can also receive in-flight target updates. The JSOW Block III, which will be designated AGM-154C-1, is scheduled for production in 2009.

PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN)