US Air Force Fired AGM-65E Laser Guided Missile in Combat Operations for the First Time

Released on Wednesday, October 31, 2007

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 31, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force fired Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) AGM-65E laser-guided Maverick missile in combat operations for the first time in June.

Until now, only the Navy and Marine Corps have used the laser-guided version of the Maverick missile. The laser-guided Maverick has a combat-proven record of effectiveness and reliability against armored and moving surface targets in urban environments and during close air support missions.

Raytheon's laser-guided Maverick addresses a joint Air Force and Navy urgent operational need for a close air support weapon to defeat high-speed moving targets with minimal collateral damage.

To meet its long-term need for precision engagement of high-speed moving targets, the Air Force asked Raytheon to restart the laser-guided Maverick production line after a 15-year hiatus. The latest laser-guided Maverick will incorporate state-of-the-art seeker technology that is expected to improve on Maverick's proven combat record. Raytheon anticipates laser-guided Maverick production for the Air Force, Navy and international customers as early as 2009.

Maverick is the most widely used precision-guided missile in the world. Maverick has been upgraded to meet evolving threats and played a key role in recent conflicts.