Image: Four Boeing Harpoon Block IC missiles underneath the wings of the F/A-18 Super Hornet

On runway 24 of U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, a part of Boeing Harpoon missile history was recently witnessed whe...

On runway 24 of U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, a part of Boeing Harpoon missile history was recently witnessed when four of the proven Harpoon Block IC cruise missiles were uploaded onto a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet to undergo a rigorous flight test over the Atlantic Ocean. The test verified flight characteristics with the quad load-out; a Harpoon first.

The test was performed jointly by members of the U.S. Navy’s VX-23 Strike Test squadron, PMA-201 Precision Strike Weapons team, Boeing Test & Evaluation and Weapons & Missile Systems businesses.The Harpoon Block IC missile is an autonomous, all weather anti-ship and land strike weapon that can be launched from aircraft, ships, submarines or by mobile coastal defense vehicles. It’s used by more than 30 international allies.The flight test with the four Boeing built Harpoon Block IC missiles underneath the wings of the F/A-18 Super Hornet was a success. More integration work proving the capabilities of the missile configuration and fighter attack jet is continuing.