Boeing conducted a test of the upgraded Harpoon Block II Update (IIU) missile in the United States. The trial took place at the Point Mugu sea range in California, with the launch carried out from an F-15 fighter jet, and according to the company, it was successful.
The Harpoon Block IIU is described as a "near total redesign," aimed at tackling obsolescence and meeting the growing demand for anti-ship missiles, as reported by Naval News.
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This update builds upon the Harpoon Block II, which had already incorporated components from the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and the Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM). These improvements enabled the missile to strike not only maritime but also land-based targets.
It is worth recalling that the U.S. had already sought to give Harpoon a second life recently. That initiative focused on modernizing large stockpiles of Harpoon Block IC missiles, upgrading them for land-attack roles and launches from submarines.
The Block IIU modernization is now part of Boeing's broader effort to extend Harpoon's relevance and sustain its serial production. Although the missile was first introduced in 1977, it has since undergone numerous upgrades and has been produced in multiple variants. The latest update ensures Harpoon can remain compatible with modern launch platforms and mission requirements.
While Harpoon is gradually being replaced here and there by more advanced systems, it continues to be produced and exported. For example, Taiwan recently received its first batch of Harpoons after a five-year wait.
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