Ran inThe Weaponeer on July 8, 1999

The Weapon System Award consists of the Col. Franklin C. Wolfe Memorial Trophy and is presented annually to recipients (civilian or military) in the Army, Navy or Air Force who have made a major contribution to the development of an outstanding weapon system in the aerospace environment.

The award went to the U.S. Navy as the executive service for NAVAIR's Conventional Strike Weapons Program Office, PMA-201, Joint Standoff Weapon Integrated Product Team in recognition of outstanding management in the development, production, testing and early combat employment of the JSOW by the U.S. Navy and Raytheon.

Johnston, the program's former manager, accepted the award on behalf of PMA-201, which was cited for its innovation and use of an outstanding acquisition process in acquiring JSOW. "The JSOW team boldly accepted the extraordinary challenge of transforming the program from its original, full military specification and standard strategy to a streamlined, commercial standard and best acquisition practices approach," said the CNO.

According to Capt. Johnston, in January 1999, JSOW successfully revolutionized strike warfare when three weapons (AGM-154SAs) were fired against Iraqi targets and the they immediately became the warfighters' weapon of choice.

The CNO also explained in the award citation, that JSOW provides the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force a weapon that has expanded tactical employment options on many fronts. The air-to-surface glide weapon provides standoff options of 15 to 40 plus nautical miles with the capability to carry three different types of munitions. JSOW successfully completed 42 of 45 scheduled test firings while demonstrating all key performance parameters, including Global Positioning Satellite-aided inertial guidance, assuring a high kill probability.

"This program has exemplified the high standards established for the Daedalians Weapons System Award and reflects great credit upon the Joint Standoff Weapons team, Raytheon Corporation and the Navy," added Johnson.

The Order of Daedalians, a national fraternity of commissioned military pilots, honors, as its Founder Members, all World War I aviators who were commissioned as officers and rated as military pilots no later than the Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918. It perpetuates their names as the first to fly the United State's airplanes in time of war. The order's membership of commissioned military pilots, with its worldwide network of Daedalians Flights and its comprehensive awards program, supports the military services and other aerospace activities.

The order and foundation encourage patriotism, integrity and good character in our nation's youth; military careers as commissioned pilots; safety of flight; and excellence in the performance of military duties. The Daedalians Foundation's scholarship program also promotes study in aerospace disciplines.

"This team demonstrated what a truly joint integrated program team can achieve to ensure that highly capable weapons are available to the warfighters as soon as possible," said the CNO, "proving their commitment and making their program the obvious selection for this very distinguished award."