Paveway IV

Raytheon UK is the design authority for Paveway™ IV bomb, which has all-weather strike capability and is deployable on Tornado GR4, Typhoon and the JSF. The combat-proven dual-mode guidance, together with height-of-burst and penetrating capability in one weapon system, enables the decision of target engagement to be made right up to the point of release. Raytheon UK's engineers have identified an opportunity to leverage the company's new Landshield™ technology to propose a rapid development of a Paveway IV bomb with GPS anti-jam capability.

Paveway IV is an advanced and highly accurate weapon that provides the RAF’s strike force with a state-of-the-art precision guided bombing capability. Manufactured by Raytheon Systems Ltd, UK, Paveway IV entered into Service in November 2008. Paveway IV will become the backbone of the RAF’s Air-to Surface bombing capability and it will replace the Paveway II and Enhanced Paveway II weapon systems as well as the 1000lb unguided general purpose bomb. Equipped with the latest Inertial Navigation and Global Positioning System technology and a 500lb warhead, Paveway IV provides a low-cost, all-weather, 24-hour precision bombing capability able to defeat the majority of general-purpose targets.

Paveway IV weapon detonating in airburst mode Paveway IV significantly increases the RAF’s capability to deliver precision effects matched to the target set. The weapon is cockpit-programmable and allows the aircrew to select weapon impact angle, attack direction and fuzing mode to detonate in airburst, impact or post-impact delay modes. The fuze minimizes collateral damage through the ability to detonate the weapon when buried or partially buried, and is fitted with a ‘Late-Arm’ safety functionality that will not allow an off-course munition to arm. The warhead is also designed to meet the latest requirements of NATO Insensitive Munition safety policy.

The increased accuracy of the system allows for a warhead half the size of the earlier Paveway weapons. The lighter Paveway IV’s provides greater flexibility giving the potential for a single aircraft to carry more weapons and so strike multiple targets in a single pass. The weapon can be reprogrammed with target data by the aircrew while airborne by using data from on-board sensors or from Forward Air Controllers on the ground. Paveway IV also retains the legacy laser guidance capability of its predecessors.

Other improvements over older weapons include less drag, greater accuracy, higher resistance to GPS jamming, better supportability, zero maintenance, lower cost and improved safety signatures. The weapon went straight onto an operational footing after its introduction into service being carried by Harrier GR9 in Afghanistan. It was later integrated onto Tornado GR4 with outstanding success on missions in both Afghanistan and Libya.

The Paveway IV bomb was successfully deployed with the RAF as part of Operations Herrick and Ellamy, achieving 98 percent accuracy. Raytheon UK-funded SPIRAL developments include moving target engagement capability, low-yield warhead variant, penetrator warhead development and range extension. In May 2013, Raytheon UK received a Chief of Defence Material Award for the execution of a Paveway IV bomb replenishment contract.

On April 11, 2014 Raytheon Company received a contract from an international customer for Paveway™ IV precision guided bombs valued at more than $200m. As part of the sale Raytheon will deliver hundreds of the advanced munitions, which are regarded as the 'weapon of choice' for the Royal Air Force. The contract represents the first sale of Paveway™ IV outside the U.K.

"This contract is an export boost to the U.K. It will help support hundreds of manufacturing and engineering jobs at Raytheon's facilities and in the supply chain across the U.K.," said Richard Daniel, Chief Executive, Raytheon UK. "Developed in Harlow, with the advanced guidance system produced in Glenrothes, Paveway IV™ has delivered considerable operational capability to the U.K. and allied forces in numerous military operations."