Raytheon Systems' Paveway IV precision-guided bomb could enter operational use before year-end, with the design having recovered from serious technical shortcomings exposed last year to pass an extensive test campaign conducted in the USA.
Completed at the US Navy's China Lake weapons range in California on 22 July, the programme's second operational evaluation comprised 14 test releases from a BAE Systems Harrier GR9 (below).
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These demonstrated the full range of effects of the 226kg (500lb), general-purpose weapon, ordered in December 2003 to equip the UK's Harrier, Panavia Tornado GR4 and Eurofighter Typhoon fleets, plus its Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from 2017.
The GPS- and laser-guided weapon demonstrated successful impact, air burst (video screen grab, below) and delayed detonations, and "proved highly accurate throughout", says Royal Navy Capt Howard Holdsworth, freefall integrated project team leader with the UK Defence Equipment and Support organisation. Recent sled tests performed in the UK have also exceeded the weapon's contracted penetration requirements.
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During an initial operational evaluation conducted last year, the Paveway IV failed to function properly, due to survivability problems with its Thales Missile Electronics (TME) Aurora fuze and issues with its explosive fill. Holdsworth says this resulted in an "exceedingly challenging recovery programme", but adds: "In the year that followed we've delivered a fully compliant weapons system."
Holdsworth says the Paveway IV could be fielded by GR9s operating from Afghanistan's Kandahar airfield before they are replaced by a detachment of Royal Air Force Tornado GR4s early next year.
The weapon is scheduled to achieve initial operating capability with the GR4 and Typhoon during 2011, but the Tornado's Afghan commitment could change this. "It is being looked at, but I can't confirm whether we will accelerate the Tornado programme," says Holdsworth. The MoD will have a stock of "several hundred" Paveway IVs within the next few months, he adds.
Raytheon Systems director of precision systems and precision-guided bomb programme manager Tobin Touchstone says the MoD has already identified requirements to equip the Paveway IV with low collateral damage and enhanced penetration warheads from around 2012. Other enhancements could include a range extension wing-kit, increased anti-jam GPS functionality, a datalink and an imaging seeker head, he says.
Touchstone says Raytheon has "had dialogue" with the US military over the Paveway IV and in-service Enhanced Paveway designs, and adds that "other customers have definitely been interested". The UK company is also in talks with BAE to supply the Paveway IV for use with its Mantis advanced concept technology demonstrator unmanned air vehicle, unveiled at the Farnborough air show.
Raytheon is still in discussions with the MoD and companies including MBDA and Thales over its possible involvement in the UK's Team Complex Weapons guided weapons industrial partnership. Team CW member TME will meanwhile offer its Aurora design for the MoD's adaptable bomb fuze requirement, says managing director Phil Jones.
Source: Flight International
