The StormBreaker smart weapon developed by Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technology business, has been approved for use on the F-15E fighter aircraft (see figure) by the U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command. This enables F-15E squadrons to be equipped with StormBreaker weapons systems and deployed for missions.
“StormBreaker delivers an unprecedented capability to pilots in the field,” said Paul Ferraro, vice-president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense’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 integrates a multimode seeker that guides a weapon by imaging infrared (IR), millimeter-wave radar, and semi-active laser in addition to or with Global Positioning System (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,” said Cristy Stagg, StormBreaker program director at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “With its multimode seeker and datalink, StormBreaker will make adverse weather irrelevant.” The small size of StormBreaker enables a smaller number of aircraft to address a larger number of targets than before, covering greater distances when necessary when making a strike. Fielding on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for the U.S. Navy and integration on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are next for the StormBreaker smart weapon system.