The U.S. Navy has officially approved the operational use of the StormBreaker smart munition, developed by Raytheon, on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike aircraft.
Developed under Raytheon, an RTX company, StormBreaker is designed to enhance the Super Hornet fleet’s strike capability, precision, and operational survivability. The company stated that the munition is effective against both moving and stationary targets. It was also emphasized that it is the only operational smart weapon capable of engaging targets in all weather conditions, whether over land or at sea.
High Capacity and Operational Flexibility
StormBreaker’s compact design allows a single aircraft to neutralize significantly more surface targets compared to previous munition types. Its ability to engage moving targets minimizes the time aircrews spend in high-threat areas, maximizing personnel safety.
Sam Deneke, President of Air and Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, stated: “The Super Hornet plays a critical role in the Navy’s air combat strategy, and equipping it with StormBreaker enhances its lethality by enabling precision strikes in all weather conditions. StormBreaker’s accuracy and versatility provide operators with an advantage in the most challenging environments.”
Platform Integration Processes
In 2023, the Super Hornet became the first U.S. Navy aircraft to carry the StormBreaker munition and demonstrated high performance during testing. The munition is currently approved for use on the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet platforms, with integration efforts ongoing. Integration work is also continuing for the F-35 Lightning IIvariants (F-35A/B/C).
Kaynak: C4Defence – Raytheon
