On Tuesday, Raytheon (RTN) had a series of new products to announce, ranging from new bombs to newer bombs to new rockets.
Specifically, the company announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has contacted Raytheon to design, develop, and demonstrate for it a new 120mm long-range, guided-mortar munition to be designated the "Precision Extended Range Munition" (PERM). Fired from an M327 rifled towed mortar, the new shell may cost a bit more than the old shell, but it's expected to save the Corps money in the long run. According to a USMC spokesman: "Our PERM solution is also expected to reduce logistical burdens, since fewer rounds will be needed to accomplish the mission."
Recent U.S. Navy tests have demonstrated the dual targeting capability of the company's new Joint Standoff Weapon, designated the "JSOW C-1." Previously proven effective in hitting moving maritime targets, the Navy has now successfully fired the air-to-surface missile at, and hit, two "challenging" stationary targets on land, first blowing up a "cement wall" protected by both infrared and radio frequency countermeasures, and second, hitting and destroying an underground bunker.
Finally, Raytheon says the U.S. Air Force has confirmed that its new GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II is small enough to be carried aboard its new F-35A fighter jets, built by Lockheed Martin (LMT -0.88%). Tests confirmed that four of the bombs can be loaded aboard the plane with "adequate clearance" to ensure they won't jostle each other and cause an unfortunate incident on board.
Raytheon further noted that the new SDB II can also be carried aboard the F-15E, F-35B, and F-35C. The previous SDB is compatible with the F-35A as well, and also with the F/A 22 Raptor, F-16C/D, and the Navy F/A-18/E/F fighter-bombers.
