TUCSON,
Ariz., April 19, 2018
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed developmental testing on
the Small Diameter Bomb II, a key step toward bringing this new
capability to fighter pilots. Government confidence testing, a
prerequisite for operational testing, is scheduled to be completed
this year. Raytheon has also begun work on the SDB II™ second
production lot after completing delivery of Lot 1 in
2017.
The weapon gives pilots the ability to destroy moving
targets on the battlefield. Its seeker detects, classifies,
tracks and destroys targets, even in adverse weather conditions
from standoff ranges.
"We call SDB II a game changer because the weapon doesn't
just hit GPS coordinates; it finds and engages targets," said
Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare
Systems vice president. "SDB II can eliminate a wider range of
targets with fewer aircraft, reducing the pilot's time in harm's
way."
During developmental testing, pilots dropped 44 SDB II bombs and
tested them in all modes of operation. The weapon destroyed
maneuvering targets in adverse weather and demonstrated third-party
control through a datalink. It also chose the correct target from
among decoys and proved compatibility with the F-15E Strike
Eagle.
Early SDB II integration work has begun on the F-35 Joint Strike
Fighter and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales
of $25 billion and 64,000 employees,
is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense,
civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of
innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art
electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products
and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers
in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is
headquartered in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Follow us on
Twitter.
Media Contact
Tara
Wood
+1.520.746.2097
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company