Raytheon UK completes Paveway IV integration trials on Eurofighter Typhoon

Raytheon UK, part of RTX’s Raytheon business, has completed successful integration trials of the Paveway IV precision-guided bomb on the Eurofighter Typhoon. 

Conducted in July 2025 at Royal Air Force Marham and the Ministry of Defence’s Aberporth ranges, the trials were supported by Rheinmetall subsidiary RWM Italia, which supplied the new Mk82-class warhead fitted to the weapon. Activities included live-fire exercises, platform training, mission planning simulations, and cross-force tactical integration. 

“This collaboration underscores the strength of NATO partnerships and our shared commitment to maintaining a technological edge on the battlefield,” said Capt RN Deavin, Combat Air Deputy Force Commander. 

Paveway IV in UK service 

The Paveway IV has been central to the RAF’s strike capability since 2008, first fielded on the Harrier and Tornado strike aircraft before transitioning to the Typhoon after their retirement. The munition combines GPS/INS and laser guidance, and has been used in combat across Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, and more recently Yemen. 

The latest integration trials focused on certifying the new Rheinmetall-supplied Mk82 warhead for the Typhoon.

“The successful completion of these trials is an important milestone in allied defence cooperation,” James Gray, CEO of Raytheon UK, said. “Our work with RWM Italia S.p.A and the Royal Air Force exemplifies how industry can enable greater interoperability, lethality and capability across NATO forces, helping them maintain air superiority.” 

Expanding Eurofighter’s capabilities 

The Paveway IV trials come come at a time where the Eurofighter Typhoon is undergoing a broad modernization effort to ensure its relevance into the 2040s.  

In the UK, a major element of this effort is the ECRS Mk2 radar upgrade, developed by Leonardo UK and BAE Systems. The new electronically scanned array radar introduces advanced electronic attack functions and enhanced situational awareness, enabling the Typhoon to operate more effectively in contested electromagnetic environments. 

Alongside the radar, the RAF is preparing for the integration of MBDA’s SPEAR 3 stand-off missile, designed to give the Typhoon a precision deep-strike capability. However, delays in the program have pushed its entry into service to the early 2030s The post Raytheon UK completes Paveway IV integration trials on Eurofighter Typhoon appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source