Raytheon Systems Limited

In addition to being prime contractor to the UK MoD for the Paveway IV Precision Guided Bomb Raytheon Systems Limited is engaged in key work on other guided weapon systems:

AMRAAM

The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is an advanced active radar-guided missile that features the latest digital technology and micro-miniature solid-state electronics. It can be launched day or night in any weather and its capabilities include lookdown/shootdown, multiple launches against multiple targets, resistance to complex ECM, interception of high- and low-flying and manoeuvring targets, and interceptions at very short range.

AMRAAM is used by the air forces of 20 nations, including the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The UK government is procuring AMRAAM as the prime Beyond Visual Range (BVR) defensive weapon system for Eurofighter Typhoon until Meteor enters service.

The US DoD plans to continue AMRAAM evolution to ensure threat dominance and that it will remain the proven BVR missile. This evolution will include kinematic enhancements and further guidance improvements to provide the US and allied aircrews with an assured threat superiority.

AMRAAM is integrated on all US and allied fighter aircraft (including Eurofighter, F-22 and JSF).

RSL is actively engaged in the AMRAAM programme, supplying the Shortened Control Actuator System to its sister business in Tucson, Arizona.

Javelin

The Raytheon-Lockheed Martin Javelin system is now the UK 's premier anti-armour/assault weapon. It provides a man-portable, anti-tank weapon capability that can be used day or night. With a range of up to 2,500 metres, using long-wave imaging infrared technology, it allows for deployment by a single soldier and can be fired from within a confined space. The Light Forces component of the Javelin programme is already in service whilst the Armoured Ground Component will enter service in 2007.

Javelin is in service with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps and has been used extensively on operations. Along with the UK selection, other commonwealth nations who have already procured Javelin include Australia and New Zealand. Javelin is also on order for the armed forces of several other countries and is being evaluated for integration onto ground and naval platforms.

RSL produces a number of components and assemblies for Javelin including the Guidance Unit Cards and Hybrid, Electronic Control Unit and Video Image Processing Unit.

Loitering Munitions

RSL is playing a major part in the MoD’s £20 million Loitering Munition Capability Demonstration (LMCD) project which is being led by Ultra. The LMCD team is known as BLADE and RSL will lead the command and control element of the programme. Raytheon IIS in the U.S. will provide the Multi Vehicle Control System.

LMCD is part of the Indirect Fire Precision Attack (IFPA) programme, aimed at modernising and enhancing the Royal Artillery’s capability, including the possible introduction of a Loitering Munition (LM). The LM system is anticipated to consist of an LM, a Command Post, a Ground Control Station and Launch Vehicle.

The 22-month contract has a multi million pound value for RSL and will broaden the company’s Command and Control and Mission Systems Integration understanding.”

Maverick

Maverick is an air-launched precision guided munition that offers a number of features including Lock-on before launch, Launch and leave. It has proven performance against moving armoured vehicles and ships and has capability against targets of opportunity.

The UK government has acquired Maverick for the RAF's Harrier GR7s. RSL undertook the integration of the system and is providing on-going in-service support to the RAF.

Paveway

Since its inception in 1968, the Paveway series of Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) has revolutionised tactical air-to-ground warfare. These semi-active laser guided munitions, which home on reflected energy directed on the target, not only drastically reduce the number of munitions required to destroy a target, but also feature accuracy, reliability and cost effectiveness previously unattainable with conventional weapons. An added plus is the universal nature of the laser guidance kits, which enable current general purpose bombs to be readily converted to precision, tactically effective munitions. Paveway has been the most successful air-to-ground weapon system employed during recent conflicts.

The introduction of the Paveway III (UK) LGB to the Royal Air Force was a major success story in the management of the sale of a US product to the RAF, where the target in-service date was met with UK support. Paveway III(UK) is cleared for use on the RAF's Tornado IDS, (GR Mk 1, 1a, 4, and 4a ), Jaguar GR Mk 1 and Harrier GR Mk 7 and T Mk 10.

RSL provides support for Paveway III covering Post Design Services, Repair, Spares and Support including re-supply.

Enhanced Paveway provides even greater flexibility through the provision of a GPS guidance system, enabling operations in conditions where laser illumination of the target is rendered impossible, for instance targets obscured by cloud or smoke. Dual dual-mode (laser or GPS) targeting capability provides considerable operational flexibility.

The UK Ministry of Defence has acquired both Enhanced Paveway II and Enhanced Paveway III, plus support equipment. The upgrade to Enhanced Paveway is by means of kits supplied and installed by Raytheon, adapting the existing Paveway LGBs held by the Royal Air Force.

For information on Paveway IV please click here.

Starstreak

Starstreak is a Close Air Defence missile for the British Army. RSL's Glenrothes facility manufactures the Guidance Modules & Optical Receiver Modules on behalf of prime contractor Thales Air Defence.

Tomahawk

Tomahawk is a long-range, highly-destructive precision weapon system capable of striking land and sea targets. It can be launched from either ship or submarine and is guided by Terrain Contour Matching, Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation and, in later versions, by GPS satellite navigation.

Tomahawk has seen operational service and since 1991 more than 1,000 have been fired. The system is in service with both the US Navy and on submarines of the Royal Navy.

RSL is the sole UK supplier engaged in the design and manufacture of systems for this weapon including Power Supply Units and Circuit Card Assemblies.

TOW

Raytheon's TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) missile is a long-range precision anti-armour weapon system. It is in service with the British Army and is fielded on the Lynx helicopter.

RaPID

The Raytheon and Partnering in Defence (RaPID) programme is a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Ministry of Defence and Raytheon Missile Systems. The RaPID programme is a long term UK weapons availability support contract between Raytheon and the Defence Logistics Organisation, covering all variants of Enhanced Paveway II and Paveway III, Maverick and AMRAAM.