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Raytheon Co. announced Saturday it successfully integrated its WiPAK avionics kit with its Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bomb at a demonstration with the French Navy’s RAFALE aircraft.
WiPAK comprises a small wireless transmitter in the aircraft cockpit coupled with a pilot interface, and a small receiver on the Paveway weapon.
The system was built to assist aircraft that were not designed to transport precision-smart weapons according to Raytheon, WiPAK can integrate multiple Paveway weapns on different aircraft without modifying the aircraft’s wiring or changing the flight and store management software.
Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Air Warfare Systems, said WiPAK allows warfighters to provide targeting information, employ Paveway and integrate GPS/INS-guided smart weapon capabilities at lower cost.
He added WiPAK employs the same wireless connectivity used in laptops and tablet computers.
Raytheon successfully dropped an Enhanced Paveway II GBU-49 from the RAFALE aircraft at the Biscarrosse test range in Southwestern France to test if the weapon system met all requirements.
Schulte added that the French Navy has operated the Enhanced Paveway II GBU-49 for more than six years on their Super Etendard Modernise.
Raytheon said it is currently testing and deploying the WIPAK system on other similar aircraft and fighter jets.
