THE FRENCH AIR FORCE will begin receiving Texas Instruments Paveway II laser-guided bomb kits in the second or third quarter of this year as part of a $29 million production contract signed in late May.
Deliveries to the French navy are expected to begin this year and continue to the end of 1997.
The French military sought the weapon after the Desert Storm conflict. In 1994, Texas Instruments delivered several Paveway II kits for qualification on French aircraft. The bomb has been qualified on the Dassault Mirage F1, while its use on the French navy's Dassault Super Etendard is planned for 1995. The Paveway II may also be qualified on other French military aircraft.
In 1994, the Royal Air Force bought $150 million-worth of Paveway III kits.
Source: Flight International
