Yesterday, Raytheon announced receipt of a $5.7 million USAF contract to upgrade software on the TV-guided variant of the Maverick air-to-surface missile. Col. Eric Theisen, Air Combat Command’s advanced programs division chief, said these software modifications will improve the pilot’s ability to visually identify and engage distant targets, thereby enabling greater standoff distances for the missile’s launch and better aircraft survivability. “The Maverick has always been ideal for close air support missions; now it’s even better,” added Harry Schulte, Raytheon’s vice president of air warfare systems.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.