US engages Raytheon for 1,500 StormBreaker smart weapons

The StormBreaker smart weapon is used by fighter aircraft to autonomously detect, classify, and strike moving targets in adverse weather conditions from stand-off ranges up to 45 miles away.

The weapon uses a tri-mode seeker of millimetre wave radar, imaging infrared, and semi-active laser to find the target through bad weather, darkness, smoke, and dust.

It has already been approved for use by F-15E aircraft with the United States Air Force and has begun integration activities on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft with the US Air Force and US Navy.

“Having StormBreaker in the warfighter’s arsenal provides unprecedented capability against moving targets, regardless of conditions,” Raytheon Missiles & Defense air power president Paul Ferraro said.

 “It also expands our production line and reinforces our commitment of ensuring the warfighter has the next-level munitions they need to safely and successfully accomplish the mission.”

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Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by 30 June 2027 for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.