Air Force contracts for bomb components

TUCSON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has contracted Raytheon Co. for laser-guided bomb components that upgrade bombs to precision-guided munitions.

Under the $31.6 million deal, U.S. defense contractor Raytheon will provide the Air Force with Paveway II laser-guided bomb computer technologies, including LGB computer control groups and air foil groups.

Officials say the computer upgrades to the Paveway bombs will change the Air Force munitions, currently without guidance controls, into precision-guided bombs.

"Raytheon, which is the sole provider of the Paveway family of weapons, has proudly earned the majority share of Paveway II competitive awards for three consecutive years," Ricky Freibert, Raytheon Paveway program director, said in a statement.

"This important win for Raytheon further demonstrates the company's unwavering commitment to meet or exceed the war fighter's need for cost-effective solutions."