Raytheon UK Completes Successful Paveway IV Integration Trials on RAF Typhoons

London, 8 September 2025 : Raytheon UK, part of RTX’s Raytheon business, has successfully completed integration trials of the Paveway IV precision-guided bomb on the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The trials, carried out in July at Royal Air Force Marham and the MOD Aberporth range, were supported by RWM Italia S.p.A, a subsidiary of the Rheinmetall group.

The programme included live-fire exercises, mission planning simulations, platform and weapon training, and cross-force tactical integration. According to Captain R.N. Deavin, Combat Air Deputy Force Commander, “this collaboration underscores the strength of NATO partnerships and our shared commitment to maintaining a technological edge on the battlefield.”

James Gray, CEO of Raytheon UK, said the milestone demonstrates the importance of industrial and military partnerships: “Our work with RWM Italia and the Royal Air Force exemplifies how industry can enable greater interoperability, lethality and capability across NATO forces, helping them maintain air superiority.”

Paveway IV and Its Significance

The Paveway IV has been a central part of the Royal Air Force’s strike arsenal since 2008. It combines GPS/INS guidance with laser targeting, allowing precise strikes in all weather conditions and against both static and moving targets. Its programmable fuzing options—airburst, impact, or delayed detonation—make it adaptable to a wide range of missions, while low-collateral variants enable use in urban or sensitive environments.

The bomb has seen extensive operational use in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, proving its reliability in combat. The new trials mark the certification of an Italian-produced warhead from RWM Italia for the Typhoon platform, a move that strengthens NATO cooperation and expands the industrial base supporting the weapon.

Strategic Context

The integration comes as the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet undergoes significant upgrades, including the ECRS Mk2 radar and future integration of MBDA’s SPEAR-3 missile package. Until these longer-range precision weapons become operational, Paveway IV remains the RAF’s backbone for precision strike missions.

For NATO, the collaboration highlights a growing emphasis on shared logistics, training, and weapons standardisation. By integrating components from the UK, Italy, and Rheinmetall’s expertise, the programme enhances interoperability among allied forces and demonstrates collective readiness in modern air combat.

Broader Impact

• The Italian Air Force has also begun testing the Paveway IV on its Typhoon fleet, potentially expanding the user base of the weapon beyond the UK and Saudi Arabia.

• Raytheon UK continues to invest in advanced versions of the bomb, including penetrating and bunker-busting variants designed for future compatibility with the F-35B Lightning II.

• With more than 2,000 employees in the UK, Raytheon UK supplies key defence and space systems to the Ministry of Defence, while parent company RTX, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, reported over $80 billion in 2024 sales and employs 185,000 people worldwide.

The successful completion of the Paveway IV integration trials on the RAF Typhoon marks an important step in sustaining the UK’s precision strike capabilities while deepening NATO defence cooperation. It demonstrates how modern industry-military partnerships ensure readiness, adaptability, and technological superiority on the future battlefield.