Paveway IV is the next generation of the combat-proven Paveway family of precision guided munitions. It is jointly developed by Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL) in the U.K. and Raytheon Missile Systems in the United States to meet the U.K.'s Precision Guided Bomb requirement.

Paveway IV, developed from the foundation of the combat-proven Enhanced Paveway II, offers warfighters expanded capabilities that include the highly lethal penetrating 500-pound MK82 warhead, height-of-burst sensor, advanced programmable fuze, in-weapon LAR (launch acceptability region) generation and advanced guidance algorithm that takes full advantage of the new warhead while maximising its fly-out performance.

Paveway IV also features MEMS IMU (microelectro-mechanical space system inertial measurement unit) that provides required accuracy using a more compact, less expensive system. Also featured is the RAPToR (Raytheon Anti-jam Protection Technology Receiver), the most advanced military GPS technology available. Production deliveries are scheduled to begin in September.

"This successful trial is the first in a series of risk reduction drops which are planned to ensure the Paveway IV weapon enters service on time and to requirement to meet the warfighters' needs," said John Michel, head of weapons for RSL. "Additional drops are planned to further demonstrate the weapon's expanded capabilities."

"We believe Paveway IV will be the weapon of choice for the next 20 years," said Capt. Howard Holdsworth, Royal Navy, the Precision Guided Bomb Integration Project Team Leader. "Paveway IV offers our pilots greatly expanded capabilities over the Enhanced Paveway II we have been using with great success."

"This successful test marks a significant milestone for the next generation, highly capable weapon system developed and produced in a global market environment," said Ricky Freibert, Paveway Program Director at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson. "Paveway IV offers the warfighter expanded capabilities in a proven precision strike weapons family."

Raytheon's legacy of more than 35 years of precision guided bomb development and manufacturing experience has resulted in more than 250,000 Paveway precision guided weapons delivered to the U.S. and more than 35 allied nations for use on 25 different aircraft.

Paveway was the most widely used precision munition in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with more than 8,700 dropped.

Raytheon is the sole provider of the Paveway family of precision guided weapons. Paveway is a trademark of Raytheon.

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