Addition of GPS-guidance boosts operational flexibility
LONDON, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK Ministry of Defence has selected
Raytheon's GPS-guided Enhanced Paveway bomb to meet its requirements for an
all-weather, off-axis, precision strike weapon. Enhanced Paveway will be
integrated with the Royal Air Force's Tornado GR4 aircraft.
The decision to upgrade the Royal Air Force's strike capability was made
after lessons learned during the Kosovo crisis when bad weather and heavy
cloud curtailed laser targeting, and so limited operations. The Royal Air
Force is already equipped with highly accurate Paveway II (UK) and Paveway III
(UK) Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) and the addition of GPS-guidance to these
weapons will enable operations against targets obscured by cloud or smoke.
Enhanced Paveway, with its dual-mode (laser or GPS) targeting capability, will
therefore give the RAF considerable operational flexibility. Following
successful completion of flight trials, introduction into service is planned
for October 2001.
Peter McKee, managing director of Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL), said,
"Raytheon is a major supplier of precision strike weapons to Britain's armed
services. For the RAF, Enhanced Paveway is the most rapid and cost-effective
way to provide a major improvement to the service's strike capability and it
fully meets the tenets of the MoD's Smart Procurement policy." He added, "RSL
already provides full in-service support activities for Paveway to the RAF and
we recently won a Multi-Activity Contract covering Post-Design Services,
Repair, Spares and Support, including re-supply, for Paveway III (UK)".
Since its inception in 1968 the Paveway series of LGB's has revolutionised
tactical air-to-ground warfare. These semi-active laser guided munitions,
which home on reflected energy directed on the target, not only drastically
reduce the number of munitions required to destroy a target, but also feature
accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness previously unattainable with
conventional weapons. The addition of GPS provides operators with the option
to attack targets in poor weather, while still retaining the flexibility of
laser guidance should conditions suit.
Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL) is the UK-based subsidiary of Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTNA, RTNB). With some 2,000 employees working out of nine
facilities, RSL services both defence and commercial markets. It is prime
bidder for a number of major UK Ministry of Defence programmes - last year it
won the MoD's ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) programme and in August 2000
the company was selected as preferred supplier for SIFF (Successor
Identification Friend or Foe). The company also participates as a team player
in bids for other programmes such as the Royal Navy's Future Carrier (CVF).
RSL designs, develops and manufactures a wide range of advanced electronic
products and systems including airport radar, Identification Friend or Foe
systems, anti-jam Global Positioning Systems and marine navigation equipment.
It is also a specialist supplier of semiconductors and power modules,
manufacturing complex electronic systems, sub-systems and assemblies.
Additionally the company undertakes aircraft servicing, repair and
modification and develops simulation and training products for air traffic
control.
Raytheon Company is a global technology leader that provides products and
services in the areas of commercial and defence electronics and business and
special mission aircraft. Raytheon has operations throughout the United
States and serves customers in 70 countries.
For information contact:
Jackie Berger
Tel: +44 (0)20 7569 5516
jackie.berger@raytheon.co.uk
or
Mike Brown
Tel: +44 (0)20 7569 5517
mike.brown@raytheon.co.uk
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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