Article Posted on : - May 11, 2010

AGM-65 Maverick fired from F-16

AMMAN, JORDAN (BNS): The US Air Force has awarded Raytheon $34.4 million to continue design work on the AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick missile, the newest variant of the Maverick.

Raytheon will develop, integrate and test the missile's guidance and control section. The missile will have an enhanced laser seeker and new software to reduce the risk of collateral damage and enabling aviators to use onboard aircraft lasers to designate targets.

The AGM-65E2 is the US Navy and Marine Corps variant of the laser-guided Maverick, while the AGM-65L is the US Air Force variant.

The Maverick missile is designed for close air support against tactical targets such as armored vehicles, air defenses, surface ships, ground transportation vehicles, and fuel storage facilities.

The laser-guided Maverick is an ideal weapon for urban combat and high-speed maneuvering targets, according Harry Schulte, vice president of the company's Missile System's Air Warfare Systems product line.

"The combat-proven Maverick is integrated on more than 25 aircraft in 33 nations, and we hope to have the newest addition to the Maverick family available for export soon," he said.