TUCSON, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Raytheon said Thursday the U.S. Air Force may re-launch production of its Maverick air-to-surface missile.

The renewed interest in the laser-guided Maverick is in response to the Air Force's "urgent operational need for a close air support weapon to defeat high-speed moving targets with minimal collateral damage," Raytheon said in a statement.

"The laser-guided AGM-65E Maverick missile is an air-to-ground weapon that can meet the service's needs in the near term," the company said.

"The Air Force currently operates with television- and infrared-guided versions of Maverick. Until now, only the Navy and Marine Corps have employed the laser-guided version," Raytheon said.

"The laser-guided Maverick has a combat-proven record of effectiveness and reliability against armored and moving surface targets in scenarios involving urban environments and during close air support missions," it said.