Article Posted on : - Aug 08, 2012

A Raytheon photo.

YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA (BNS): US defence firm Raytheon has completed a successful warhead and guidance system test of its Pyros small tactical munition.

The end-to-end test of Pyros, which has been specifically designed for unmanned aircraft systems, validated the weapon's guidance modes (semi-active laser and global positioning system), its height-of-burst sensor, electronic safe and arm device, and multi-effects warhead.

"All systems functioned perfectly," said Tom Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missile Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.

"This test demonstrated the technical maturity of Pyros, which is designed from the ground up with small, tactical unmanned aircraft systems in mind. Our next step is to complete ongoing integration work on fielded platforms and prepare for production," the official added.

During the test, the small air-launched bomb was dropped from a Raytheon Cobra unmanned aircraft. The target simulated insurgents planting an improvised explosive device.

While directly over the target, the warhead detonated at a predetermined height following inputs from the weapon's height-of-burst sensor.

Weighing 6 kg and having a length of 55 cm, Pyros is ideally suited for unmanned aircraft, rotary-wing scout platforms and light attack aircraft.