After more than two decades, Raytheon has formally restarted production of the laser-guided Maverick missile, with the first weapon expected to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force in late 2012.
Production began following a rigorous U.S. Air Force and Navy Developmental Testing/Operational Testing program that culminated in a production contract in late 2011.
“The combat-proven laser Maverick has demonstrated its effectiveness against frigate size ships, small moving boats, tanks, fortified personnel and fast moving maneuvering vehicles in excess of 70 miles per hour,” said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Air Warfare Systems product line.
“We are focused on getting laser-guided Maverick to the U.S. warfighter, and hope to also provide this weapon to U.S. allies since it is available via both Direct Commercial Sales and Foreign Military Sales.”
During DT/OT, U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aviators fired 15 AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick missiles at moving and stationary targets, some of which were moving in excess of 70 miles per hour (110 km). The weapons were fired from F-16s, A-10s, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harriers.
Maverick Family of Missiles
The laser-guided Maverick missile is a direct-attack, air-to-ground precision munition used extensively by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps in ongoing combat operations. The AGM-65E2/L has an enhanced laser seeker and new software that reduces the risk of collateral damage.
Maverick is integrated on 25 aircraft and in the inventory of 33 nations.
Maverick has been used in combat thousands of times.
The AGM-65E2/L can use onboard, buddy and ground-based lasing to designate targets.
The laser-guided Maverick can hit land- and sea-based moving targets that are traveling faster than 70 miles per hour.
