Article Posted on : - Aug 18, 2011

The Small Tactical Munition. A Raytheon photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): The Raytheon-made Small Tactical Munition (STM) phase II configuration is inching towards flight tests later this year following completion of its laboratory integration and testing.

The STM phase II is a new 12-pound (5.4 kg), 21.5-inch long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb specifically designed to equip unmanned aircraft, rotary-wing scout platforms and light attack aircraft.

It is the smallest air-launched weapon in the Raytheon portfolio.

The weapon incorporates a new, purpose-built warhead. Its light weight and high degree of maneuverability, coupled with its advanced semi-active laser seeker, enable STM to precisely engage moving targets.

“STM is part of Raytheon's broad portfolio of air-launched weapons and is easy to use because it’s designed for rapid integration and engineered for improved operator system interface and flexibility in loadout,” said Bob Francois, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.

STM phase II is more than two inches shorter than the phase I design and has foldable fins and wings, enabling employment from the US military’s common launch tube.