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The U.S. Air Force fired Raytheon Company’s AGM-65E laser-guided Maverick missile in combat operations in an undisclosed location for the first time on June 14 of this year.
Now the Air Force has decided to have Raytheon restart the laser-guided Maverick production line, which would expand its ongoing procurement of upgraded TV-guided (CCD) Mavericks. According to Raytheon officials, the renewed interest in the Maverick family is down to heightened concerns about accuracy in military operations.
"Maverick missiles constitute a key capability required for use in the modern battlespace," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of the Strike product line. "Maverick has proved itself over many years of service to be a very versatile weapon system, and the newest laser version will significantly enhance the Air Force's precision capability required to save lives in close combat and quick-reaction situations."
Militaries around the globe are increasingly finding themselves operating in a complex environment where air forces must use surgical precision to engage targets in an urban close air support environment, whilst minimizing potential collateral damage. Similarly, commanders want a standoff weapon system that can hit a moving target such as a vehicle fleeing from the scene of an ambush, or speed boats swarming an oil platform.
For airmen, Raytheon’s restart of the laser Maverick missile line would appear to be an ideal solution to these difficult combat problems. Maverick is both affordable and has a proven history of being a reliable weapon in combat, says Raytheon. Unlike similar yet-to-be-fielded systems, it’s available today and already integrated on over 25 aircraft.
According to the company, Maverick is the most widely used precision-guided missile in the world, has been upgraded to meet evolving threats, and has played a key role in recent conflicts. In fact, the missile’s modular design is part of what makes it so appealing, as the system allows commanders to choose between a variety of warheads and seekers (including infrared), depending on the specific mission profile.
The latest laser-guided Maverick will incorporate state-of-the-art digital seeker technology that is expected to improve on Maverick’s already impressive combat record. Raytheon anticipates a contract for laser-guided Maverick production for the Air Force, Navy and international customers leading to first deliveries in late 2009 or early 2010.
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