The US Navy has authorised the operational use of StormBreaker smart weapon on its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, according to an announcement from Raytheon, a business of RTX.
The decision follows earlier integration activities involving both the US Air Force and US Navy for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Super Hornet.
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Raytheon’s StormBreaker is equipped to engage both stationary and moving targets across land and maritime environments, operating under a range of weather conditions and visibility challenges.
Its tri-mode seeker uses millimetre wave radar for target detection through weather, imaging infrared for improved target identification, and a semi-active laser to track airborne or ground-based laser designators.
These three systems share targeting data to support engagement at any time of day.
Raytheon confirmed that the compact design of StormBreaker enables single aircraft to engage a greater number of surface targets than previous systems allowed.
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By GlobalDataThe weapon also facilitates rapid engagement of mobile targets, which can reduce flight time in contested areas for aircrews.
Raytheon Air & Space Defense Systems president Sam Deneke said: “The Super Hornet plays a critical role in the Navy’s air combat strategy and equipping it with StormBreaker increases the aircraft’s lethality by enabling precision strike in all weather conditions.
“StormBreaker’s accuracy and versatility gives operators the upper hand in the most degraded environments, ensuring they can complete the mission and return home safely.”
In 2023, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was the first US Navy aircraft to be equipped to carry the StormBreaker. The weapon has demonstrated strong performance in combat operations on board this platform.
The F/A-18E (single-seat) and F/A-18F (two-seat) are twin-engine, multi-role tactical aircraft developed to replace the retiring F/A-18C and F/A-18D models.
StormBreaker is also approved for operational use on the F-15E aircraft.
