The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded Raytheon UK a replenishment contract for Paveway IV, the latest generation GPS precision-guided munition, as part of a 60 million pound contract.

Raytheon UK is focused on a technological growth path which, under the UK MOD's SPEAR (Selective Precision Effects at Range) CAP 1 program, will enhance the system's capability with low collateral and penetrator warhead options, enhanced moving target capability and enhanced range.

"Raytheon UK has provided flexible and responsive support to Paveway operations over a considerable period; in particular, their outstanding efforts were key to the RAF success in the recent Libyan campaign where the Paveway series of weapons were used extensively," said Wing Commander Clive Roads, IGMR FreeFall IPT Leader.

"The MOD is extremely pleased to work with a company which understands the operational imperative, placing this first in their support to our Forces. Raytheon UK have been able to react very quickly to the need to replenish our stocks of the high precision, all weather, Paveway IV weapon system to maintain our ability to react at short notice to emerging threats.

"The weapon has now been extensively used in all types of employment roles and has proven to exceed all expectations for reliability, accuracy and its ability to limit collateral damage through its sophisticated and integrated guidance, and fuzing systems."

Paveway IV is a UK manufacturing success story, with many companies across the UK involved in the development and manufacture of advanced components.

Benefiting from the current contract are Portsmouth Aviation, who manufacture the tail system; Thales Missile Electronics, based in Basingstoke, who produce the all-electronic Aurora fuze; and EDO MBM of Brighton, who will manufacture the aircraft's umbilical interconnect system and containers.

As a result of Raytheon undertaking long lead-time procurement and working with its supply chain, the delivery schedule has been reduced to seven months from 18 months.

Bob Delorge, chief executive of Raytheon UK, commented: "The Paveway IV contract sustains highly skilled jobs in the UK's advanced manufacturing arena and is one of the UK's leading examples of technology transfer success. A pivotal element of the RAF's air-to-surface target engagement capability, Paveway IV enhances the nation's military capability and has been the precision-guided bomb of choice for the Royal Air Force since 2008."

Raytheon continues to pursue a number of export opportunities for Paveway IV, particularly where Typhoon and Tornado are deployed and the weapon is already integrated. Raytheon is also under contract to integrate Paveway IV for the UK onto the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.