Article Posted on : - Oct 21, 2014

Laser-guided Maverick missile. A Raytheon photo

TUCSON, ARIZONA (BNS): The US Navy has awarded Raytheon Company a $49.5 million contract for production of new laser-guided Maverick missiles (AGM-65E2/L).

AGM-65E2 is the US Navy/Marine Corps designation for their new Laser Maverick missile.

The Navy also intends to exercise a contract option to purchase additional units bringing the total contract value to $54.9 million, Raytheon said.

The Maverick weapon system, a US Air Force (USAF)-led joint service programme, is a forward firing, precision-guided, close air support missile.

Maverick is effective against a wide variety of fixed, stationary, moving and maneuvering land and sea targets.

"The Navy has an operational need for increasing its inventory of this lethal and combat proven weapon," said Capt. Albert Mousseau Jr., US Navy programme manager, PMA-242.

"Enhanced Laser Maverick enables warfighters to engage today's fast-moving, agile targets."

The new Laser Maverick (AGM-65E2/L) includes these enhancements such as Digital laser seeker, new software that reduces the risk of collateral damage and is upgradable based on customer needs, ability to precisely engage land and sea-based high speed moving targets also advanced flight algorithms to boost performance in a variety of operational situations.

The enhanced Laser Maverick is a result of a comprehensive USAF and USN Developmental Testing/Operational Testing programme that was completed in 2011.