U.S. Navy Completes Final Flight Test of Harpoon Missile Update

The U.S. Navy has completed the third and final planned flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update Obsolescence Update program, marking the near completion of testing ahead of planned deliveries later this year.

The Jan. 16 test was conducted by the Precision Strike Weapons program office (PMA-201) in partnership with Boeing at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the Point Mugu Sea Range in California. The event demonstrated a Coastal Target Suppression mission against a representative land target, with all objectives met based on preliminary assessments.

The missile was launched from an F-15 aircraft at approximately 12,000 feet above ground level. During the mission, it executed multiple altitude changes, descending to an initial waypoint altitude of 5,000 feet before proceeding to the target area and performing a steep terminal dive prior to impact. The flight profile was intended to replicate a coastal engagement.

The Harpoon Block II Update flight test series consisted of three events designed to progressively validate 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, underscoring the weapon’s operational flexibility.

Naval Air Systems Command said system-level flight testing for the obsolescence update is now nearly complete, with initial deliveries planned for later this year.