Stand-off Capability Against Manoeuvring Targets
Raytheon Missiles & Defense announced on 13 October that its StormBreaker smart weapon has been approved for use on the F-15E by the US Air Force. The fielding decision means that F-15E EAGLE squadrons can now be equipped with StormBreaker and deployed for operational missions.
“StormBreaker delivers an unprecedented capability to pilots in the field,” commented Paul Ferraro, VP of the company’s Air Power business. “The weapon gives airmen a significant advantage – the ability to strike maritime or land-based maneuvering targets at range in adverse weather.”
StormBreaker features an innovative multimode seeker that guides the weapon by imaging infrared, millimetre-wave radar, and semi-active laser in addition to or with GPS and inertial navigation system guidance.
“The weapon has proven itself in many complex test scenarios, against a variety of targets in extreme environmental conditions, and is now ready to fly,” observed Cristy Stagg, StormBreaker Program Director at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “With its multimode seeker and datalink, StormBreaker will make adverse weather irrelevant.”
StormBreaker’s small size lets fewer aircraft address the same number of targets, compared with larger weapons that require multiple platforms. It can also fly more than 40 miles to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm’s way. The weapon’s initial fielding on the F/A-18E/F Super HORNET for the US Navy later this year and integration for fielding on the F-35 LIGHTNING II are next for the programme.
