RTX Raytheon to deliver more than 1500 StormBreaker smart weapons to US Air Force.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a $400 million contract to produce and deliver more than 1,500 StormBreaker air-launched, precision-strike standoff smart weapons. StormBreaker is the leading air-to-surface, network-enabled weapon that can engage moving targets in all weather conditions using its multi-effects warhead and tri-mode seeker.

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The StormBreaker smart weapon offers a combat advantage by effectively targeting moving objects in adverse weather conditions, such as low visibility due to darkness, bad weather, smoke, or dust from a helicopter (Picture source: RTX/Ratheon)

"Fielded on two platforms with testing underway for others, StormBreaker has solidified its place as the leading network-enabled weapon across the Department of Defense," said Paul Ferraro, president of Air Power at Raytheon. "With this contract, we'll continue to evolve StormBreaker's production to meet the needs of servicemembers for years to come."

The StormBreaker smart weapon offers a combat advantage by effectively targeting moving objects in adverse weather conditions, such as low visibility due to darkness, bad weather, smoke, or dust from helicopters. These conditions often allow adversaries to evade attacks, necessitating the need for an all-weather solution to enhance warfighters' capabilities.

This weapon features an integrated seeker with three modes:
• Millimeter wave radar for target detection and tracking in various weather conditions.
• Imaging infrared for improved target discrimination.
• Semi-active laser for tracking airborne or ground-based laser designators.

The seeker shares targeting information among these modes, enabling the StormBreaker to engage both stationary and moving targets in any weather and lighting conditions.

The StormBreaker's compact size reduces the need for multiple aircraft to accomplish the same targeting objectives, and its range of over 45 miles allows it to strike mobile targets while minimizing aircrew exposure to risks. Integration activities for the StormBreaker are already fielded on the F-15E Strike Eagle and F/A-18E/F SuperHornet with testing underway on the F-16 and all variants of the F-35. Across the platforms, StormBreaker completed 28 test drops in 2023.

Integration activities for the StormBreaker are already fielded on the F-15E Strike Eagle (Picture source: USAF)

 Integration activities for the StormBreaker are tested on the F-16 (Picture source: RTX/Ratheon)