Paveway IV Completes Demonstration Capability Trials

CHINA LAKE, CA: The U.K.'s Royal Air Force completed capability demonstration trials of Raytheon Company's Paveway IV. The trials showed the full range of operational capabilities of the RAF's next-generation general purpose air-to-ground weapon system.

The Paveway IV Weapon System is a low-cost, day-night, all-weather, general purpose precision-bombing capability.

"Paveway IV is a very capable weapon system indeed," said U.K. Royal Navy Capt. Howard Holdsworth, Ministry of Defence Freefall Integrated Project team leader. "In the past 12 months, we have completed an exceedingly challenging, rapid development program."

The trials, which demonstrated Paveway IV integration with RAF Harrier GR9 strike aircraft, included the release of 14 operational weapons demonstrating capability across the full range of Paveway IV operational parameters.

"The enhanced features of the Paveway IV weapon demonstrated the expanded performance, unrivalled flexibility and operational effectiveness the MoD expected when it awarded this important contract to Raytheon," said Tobin Touchstone, Raytheon Systems Limited director of Precision Systems.

Raytheon Systems Limited is the U.K.-based subsidiary of Raytheon Company. It is a prime contractor and major supplier to the U.K. Ministry of Defence and has developed strong capabilities in mission systems integration in defense, national security and commercial markets. RSL also designs, develops and manufactures a range of high technology electronic systems and software at its facilities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

Background Information 
Compared with standard 500-pound class weapons, the enhanced capabilities of Paveway IV include: insensitive munition warhead with increased penetration; cockpit selectable terminal fuzing with air burst and post impact delay; highly reliable second environment sensing via unique arming maneuver; delayed arming to minimize collateral damage; and GPS anti-jam resistance via inertial-only guidance mode.

Paveway IV is integrated on the Harrier GR9. It is currently being integrated on the Tornado GR4, Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter.