Texas Instruments' AGM-154 JSOW in Production

Dallas, Texas (February 18, 1997) - The Texas Instruments (TI) Defense Systems & Electronics (DS&E) AGM-154 Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) system enters Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) on schedule. The $65.9 million LRIP contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), in Arlington, Virginia, for 111 JSOW AGM-154A/baseline systems. Delivery to the U.S. Navy will begin in mid-1998 for the first of a planned total procurement of greater than 20,000 units.

Captain Bert Johnston, Navy Program Manager (PMA-201) stated, "The JSOW Team should be justifiably proud of this accomplishment. We are on schedule, cost, and have demonstrated every critical performance parameter that our warfighters need. JSOW is lethal, affordable, and READY FOR PRODUCTION."

TI began Engineering and Manufacturing Development (E&MD) of JSOW in 1992, as a joint U.S. Navy/U.S. Air Force program. From the very beginning, the Texas Instruments design team believed that it was essential that the system be able to carry a number of different payloads and be able to be carried on most U.S. or NATO aircraft in inventory. The company has succeeded in both categories, while assuring that JSOW will be cost-effective by incorporating commercial parts and processes. JSOW has set new standards in acquisition reform, contractor/government Integrated Product Teaming and implementation, and missile test success rate.

The U.S. Navy began Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) testing in February 1997, after very successful development testing and initial operational testing programs. The test program resulted in a 42 for 44 success rate or greater than 96% successful JSOW launches.

"This is a significant milestone and a tribute to the teamwork between the Navy, Air Force, and TI. The JSOW development program has been one of the most successful weapon development programs in history and will provide the Navy and Air Force with new standoff capability and survivability in support of Joint Vision 2010," stated Mr. Charles Marinello, Texas Instruments JSOW Program Manager.

This contract is for the "AGM-154A/baseline" version, one of three JSOW variants currently under contract. The AGM-154A is guided by a highly integrated Global Positioning System and Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) and carries a payload of 145 BLU-97B Combined Effect Bomblet submunitions. This baseline variant will be used principally for soft and area targets, and enemy air defenses.

The other two JSOW variants are the "AGM-154B/ anti-armor" version and the "AGM-154C/ unitary" version, both under contract for Engineering & Manufacturing Development (E&MD). JSOW has flown on the F/A-18, F-16, and F-15E during this development phase and is being integrated on the B-52 and B-2 in the very near future. JSOWs initial introduction to the operational commands will be on the Navy/Marine Corps F/A-18 in 1998, although an interim early deployment is planned for 1997.