MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (269/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 10
December 2008
A next-generation
precision guided bomb that can hit targets 24 hours a day and in
all-weathers has entered service with the Royal Navy and Royal Air
Force as part of a £400M programme.
The weapon, known as Paveway IV will be fitted to the Harrier
GR9s, Tornado GR4s, Typhoon and ultimately the Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF).
The highly sophisticated weapon, provided by Raytheon Systems
Ltd, UK, can be guided on to a target through use of Global
Positioning System satellite technology or through laser guidance.
Pilots can programme the weapon from the cockpit from the ground
for pre-planned missions or while the aircraft is in flight using
data provided by the aircraft's on-board sensors. The Paveway
IV can also be reprogrammed mid-flight should targets alter or to
reflect changes to conditions on the ground.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:
"Paveway IV is providing our Armed Forces with the very best
technology for operations with its all-weather, day and night
precision bombing capability. The Paveway IV's sophisticated
guidance system and sensors will give new levels of flexibility to
our pilots allowing them to switch targets mid-flight and rapidly
respond to changing factors on the ground. This is a highly
sophisticated weapon which will be used across our fast jet fleet
from Harriers, Tornados to Typhoons."
The Defence Equipment and Support project team leader Captain
Howard Holdsworth, Royal Navy said:
"Paveway IV will provide those at the front line with a
hugely flexible and very welcome capability. This is the
culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work on the part of the
stakeholder community, both in the MoD and Industry. We can be
justifiably proud of our achievements; Paveway IV is a very
capable weapon system indeed."
The weapon, known as Paveway IV, is half the weight of the
current Enhanced Paveway 2 weapon currently used on Harriers and
Tornado GR4s.
The weapon is fitted with a proximity sensor for detonation of
the weapon above target. This allows the pilot to select the best
means of maximising the effect of the 500lb (227kg) warhead.
Notes to Editors
1. The GPS-aided inertial guidance system provides a
through-cloud precision bombing capability. Targets can also be
manually programmed using target coordinates provided by Forward
Air Controllers (FACs). Pilots can also guide the weapon on to a
target using ground-based or airborne laser designation.
2. Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL), UK is the Coordinating Design
Organisation and Prime Contractor for the Weapon System, with
Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS), Tucson responsible for the design
of the Warhead. General Dynamics, Dallas is responsible for
warhead case manufacture and SEI, SpA, Sardinia provides the
explosive fill. RMS also design and manufacture the Weapon
Guidance Section and Thales Missile Electronics, Basingstoke are
responsible for the design and manufacture of the Fuze.
3. RSL was awarded a £140M contract in December 2003 for the
Design, Development and Manufacture of the Weapon System. A
further £50M contract was placed at the same time with BAE
Systems, Farnborough, for the integration of the weapon onto
Harrier GR9/9A. Integration contracts valued at a further £100M
have recently been placed with BAE Systems, Warton and Eurofighter
GmbH for integration of the weapon onto Tornado GR4 and Typhoon respectively.
4. For further info please call Liz Tayler, MoD DE&S Press
Office, on 0117 9137888.
ENDS