Pyros (bomb)

The Pyros, previously referred to as the Small Tactical Munition (STM), is a weapon developed by Raytheon, designed to be used by UAVs.[1][2][3]

Small Tactical Munition
Raytheon Pyros mockup at IDEX 2017
TypeUCAV bomb
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerRaytheon
Specifications
Mass13 pounds (5.9 kg)
Length55 centimetres (22 in)

Guidance
system
Dual-mode seeker: semi-active laser guidance plus GPS-INS
Launch
platform
UCAVs

Raytheon successfully conducted flight tests in October 2010, and it may be used to arm the AAI RQ-7 Shadow.[4]

It weighs 13 pounds (5.9 kg), and originally had a 7 lb (3.2 kg) warhead.[5] On April 18, 2011, Raytheon successfully tested a new 5 lb (2.3 kg) warhead for the weapon. Though lighter, the new warhead has a significantly improved blast-fragment capability.[6] Designed for low collateral damage, its lethal radius is only 15 ft (4.6 m), with non-lethal effects extending further but lethality dropping dramatically.[7]

In July 2012, Raytheon claimed the STM could be "months" away from fielding.[8] In early August 2012, Raytheon renamed the munition Pyros and completed the first end-to-end test of the bomb.[9] The test validated the weapon's guidance modes, height-of-burst sensor, electronic safe and arm device, and multi-effects warhead.[10]

On 18 July 2014, Raytheon conducted the first live-fire test of the Pyros. The munition targeted a simulated group of insurgents planting a roadside bomb and used its height-of-burst sensor to detonate several feet above the ground.[11] Dropped from an altitude of 10,000 ft (3,000 m), the Pyros takes 35–40 seconds to reach the ground.[12]

References

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