20 June 2003
Raytheon Systems Limited, Raytheon's UK subsidiary, has released more details of the Paveway IV Precision Guided Bomb (PGB) currently under contract negotiation for the RAF.
Dean Mason, manager of the Paveway IV programme for Raytheon said: "Paveway IV has been developed to meet the requirements of the MoD's PGB programme while avoiding the usual risks associated with all-new weapon development. Enhanced Paveway has already achieved a strong reputation for reliability and accuracy and Paveway IV exploits these qualities further. Paveway IV provides a state-of-the-art, all-weather precision munition that is easy to integrate on current and future aircraft".
Paveway IV uses second-generation GPS aided inertial navigation that incorporates anti-spoofing and anti-jamming technology. It also offers greater flexibility of operation. The weapon has evolved from Enhanced Paveway, which the RAF has already fielded operationally. For the PGB programme Paveway IV guidance kits will be fitted to 500lb warheads. The Paveway IV guidance kits can also be easily fitted to different sized warheads.
Paveway IV is a joint programme between RSL in the UK and Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS) in Tucson, Arizona. RMS will provide systems engineering while RSL in Glenrothes, Scotland, will manufacture the guidance and control system as well as undertaking complete system integration.
The PGB will enter service in 2007, replacing existing dumb and laser guided bombs. The much larger, 2000-lb, Paveway III series will remain in service because of its special abilities in defeating hardened and deeply buried targets. It will be fitted to the Tornado GR4, Harrier GR9 and Typhoon.
The PGB will have one of the world's most advanced fuzes fitted with the 'Late-Arm' safety device, which will not arm an off-course munition. It will also be fitted with the warheads designed to meet the latest requirements of NATO Insensitive Munition safety policy.
The value of the contract to Raytheon Systems Ltd, subject to successful completion of negotiations, is expected to be around £120 million.
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