Boeing

The U.S. Navy recently tested the new Harpoon Block II missile at the Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division sea range off Pt. Mugu, Calif.

The missile was launched from the USS Decatur (DDG-73), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. The test demonstrated the Harpoon Block II weapon system's open-ocean ability to select the proper target using the Navy's Mobile Sea Target and another target ship, the MK-35 SEPTAR. The missile tracked and acquired the target exactly as planned. Flight tests later this summer will demonstrate the missile's other capabilities.

Harpoon Block II is an upgraded version of the world's most successful anti-ship missile, which is in service with the armed forces of 26 countries. Block II improves strike capabilities in congested littoral environments and adds the ability to attack land-based coastal targets.

Harpoon Block II also provides accurate long-range guidance by incorporating the low-cost inertial measuring unit from the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition program; and the software, mission computer, integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System and the GPS antenna and receiver from the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response.

"The Block II missile clearly provides a significant improvement over the existing Block 1C version currently in the U.S. Navy's inventory. These improvements support a warfighter's needs for a flexible multipurpose missile," said Capt. Carl Reiber, Navy program manager, Standoff Missile Systems (PMA-258).

The accurate navigation solution provided by the new components allows the Harpoon Block II to discriminate target ships from islands, other obstructions or neutral ships.

The 500-pound blast warhead delivers lethal firepower against a wide variety of land-based targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port/industrial facilities and ships in port.

The multi-mission Block II missile can be deployed from all current Harpoon missile system platforms with either existing command and launch equipment or the new Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System.

Numerous foreign countries are considering the Harpoon Block II under U.S. foreign military sales agreements.

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