Raytheon completes first captive flight test of Small Tactical Munition Phase II

16:43 GMT, November 30, 2011 TUCSON, Ariz. | Raytheon Company has completed captive carry tests of its Small Tactical Munition Phase II configuration, paving the way for flight tests.

"Raytheon developed STM Phase II to provide the warfighter a weapon for Shadow-class UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) and counterinsurgency aircraft," said Bob Francois, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "STM is a mature, precise and affordable weapon and gives the warfighter flexibility to engage moving and static targets with minimal collateral damage."

The Sept. 16 test was conducted on a Raytheon Cobra unmanned aircraft system at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz.

Small Tactical Munition

STM Phase II is a new 12-pound, 22-inch long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb specifically designed for employment from manned and unmanned aircraft systems. STM Phase II is more than two inches shorter than the Phase I design and has foldable fins and wings, enabling employment from the U.S. military's common launch tube. STM Phase II's easier assembly will make the system simpler to manufacture on a large scale.

Key Points:
• At 12 pounds and 22 inches, STM is the smallest air-launched weapon in the Raytheon portfolio.
• Has both GPS and semiactive laser guidance.
• Small enough to be employed from the U.S. military's common launch tube.

STM Phase II incorporates a new, purpose-built warhead designed by Nammo-Talley, and features a Kaman Aerospace enhanced electronic safe arm device.