U.S. Navy tests land-based Harpoon missile system

The U.S. Navy’s Harpoon Coastal Defense System successfully launched a Harpoon missile from land and struck a target vessel in near-shore waters during a two-day test in late July at Point Mugu Sea Range, California, the Navy said.

The event, designated Developmental Test 1, brought together the Strike Weapons Program Office known as PMX-201, the Naval Air Weapons Station Technical Project Office, Point Mugu Sea Range personnel and Boeing, which builds the Harpoon missile.

The Harpoon Coastal Defense System is a land-based launcher built to fire the existing Harpoon anti-ship missile against maritime targets from shore, giving military planners a way to defend coastal areas and strategic waterways without relying solely on ships or aircraft.

“The flawless execution of this test is a direct testament to the unparalleled expertise and relentless dedication demonstrated by the entire team,” said Capt. Sarah Abbott, PMX-201 program manager. “In the face of complex technical requirements and tight schedules, the team’s cohesive effort and proactive problem-solving ensured that every critical parameter was met.”

“This represents a significant milestone in our mission to deliver a vital, high-priority defense capability to the field,” Abbott said. “An achievement of this scale is never the result of a single individual, it is the culmination of shared vision, rigorous discipline, and exhaustive preparation by everyone involved.”

Developmental testing is one stage in a broader evaluation process the Navy uses to check combat readiness before a system moves closer to fleet use, involving live-fire and tracking events at sea. The Navy did not disclose the number of missiles fired during DT-1, the specific type of target vessel used, or a date for the system’s next testing phase.

The Harpoon missile itself has been in U.S. Navy service since the late 1970s and has been adapted over the decades for launch from ships, aircraft and submarines. The Harpoon Coastal Defense System represents an additional, land-based launch option built around that same missile rather than a new weapon.

The test was overseen by PAE Munitions, a Department of the Navy organization that manages weapons programs including this one, according to the Navy’s announcement. The Navy has not announced a timeline for when the Harpoon Coastal Defense System might be fielded operationally.