Rayheon's UAV bomb on target

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YUMA, Ariz., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Raytheon's Pyros small tactical munition, designed for unmanned aerial vehicles, scored a direct hit in its first guided flight test.

The Pyros weighs 13.5 pounds and is 22 inches in length. It is a gravity-dropped weapon and features GPS/INS and digital semi-active laser guidance.

"All systems functioned perfectly," said Tom Bussing, vice president of Advanced Missile Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "This test demonstrated the technical maturity of Pyros, which is designed from the ground up with small, tactical unmanned aircraft systems in mind.

"Our next step is to complete ongoing integration work on fielded platforms and prepare for production."

Raytheon said the weapon was dropped from a Raytheon Cobra unmanned aircraft. The target simulated insurgents planting an improvised explosive device and the bomb's warhead detonated at a predetermined height following inputs from the weapon's height-of-burst sensor.

"The warfighter needs a lightweight, powerful, precision weapon that is designed specifically for the UAS platform. Pyros is the ideal solution," Bussing said.