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The US Navy successfully completed the third and final planned flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update (HIIU) Obsolescence Update program Jan. 16, marking a key milestone in modernizing and sustaining the weapon system.
As explained by Jamie Cosgrove, Naval Air Systems Command, in the article US Navy completes final flight test Harpoon Block II obsolescence update, the Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) program office, in partnership with Boeing, conducted the test at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Point Mugu Sea Range in California. The event demonstrated a successful Coastal Target Suppression mission against a representative land target, with all test objectives met based on preliminary assessments.
“This milestone reflects the strength of the integrated government and industry team and their commitment to delivering reliable, relevant capability to the fleet,” said Capt. Sarah Abbott, PMA-201 program manager.
During the mission, the missile executed multiple altitude changes to simulate a coastal engagement. After launch from an F-15 at approximately 12,000 feet above ground level, the missile descended to an initial waypoint altitude of 5,000 feet, then proceeded to the target area and performed a steep terminal dive prior to impact.
As the photos in this post show, the F-15 used in this test is Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F-15SA USAF serial 12-1002. 12-1002 is one of three F-15SA ‘prototypes’ (the others being 12-1001 and 12-1003) that were previously engaged in a long period of flight testing at Palmdale, California. These three aircraft were painted in a F-15C/Orange Tip paint scheme.
12-1002 and 12-1003, the second and third aircraft built, have been retained in the US for development and trials work.
The F-15SA, the newest variant of the combat-proven F-15 for the RSAF, provides improved performance and increased survivability at a lower life-cycle cost. The aircraft has two additional wing stations for increased payload and capability. The service has operated F-15S fighters since the 1990s.
The F-15EX is a variant of the F-15SA. Both are variants of the F-15 Advanced Eagle, a further development of the F-15E design initially intended for export. The Advanced Eagle began with the F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) which first flew in 2013, followed by the F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) in 2020.
Noteworthy, the USAF F-15s have done a lot of the recent Navy weapons testing, including Quick-Sink.
The HIIU flight test series consisted of three events designed to progressively validate system performance across mission sets. The first test verified guidance and aerodynamic performance, the second demonstrated engagement of a moving maritime surface target, and the final event confirmed effectiveness against a land-based target—highlighting the weapon’s operational versatility.
Following this event, system-level flight testing for the HIIU Obsolescence Update is nearly complete, with initial deliveries planned for later this year.
Harpoon Block II features an autonomous, all-weather, over-the-horizon strike capability. It is an ideal weapon for both anti-ship and land-strike missions. These versatile weapons can be launched from aircraft, ships, submarines or by mobile coastal defense vehicles. Harpoon Block II is a proven weapon system that can accurately locate and hit a variety of targets using its global positioning system aided inertial navigation.
HIIU builds on the Harpoon’s 50+ year legacy by addressing obsolescence items and preparing the weapon to extend production around the world. The US Navy and more than 30 foreign partners use the Harpoon in support of anti-ship and land-strike missions.
Photo credit: U.S. Navy
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