Raytheon tests ground-launched variant of StormBreaker weapon

TUCSON - Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE:RTX) business, a prominent player in the Aerospace & Defense industry with a market capitalization of $215 billion, has completed testing for a ground-launched variant of its StormBreaker smart weapon, developing and testing the prototype in just 50 days. The company’s stock has shown strong momentum, gaining over 40% year-to-date according to InvestingPro data.

The test, conducted this spring at a private range in the Mojave Desert, involved launching the prototype using a commercial off-the-shelf rocket motor. The weapon reached approximately 20,000 feet of altitude, achieving key performance milestones.

"Recent global conflicts have highlighted the need for a smart, ground-launched, precision strike weapon that can perform in GPS-contested areas," said Sam Deneke, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, in a press release statement.

The StormBreaker is currently the only fielded, network-enabled smart weapon capable of engaging moving and stationary targets in various weather conditions, both on land and at sea. It is approved for use on the F-15E and F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet aircraft and is being integrated on the F-35A/B/C.

According to the company, the ground-launched variant covers the same target set as the air-launched version but with extended range and expanded offensive capabilities. Raytheon indicated it has invested in research and development, facilities, and subject matter experts to accelerate the development of this new variant.

Additional tests of the ground-launched StormBreaker are scheduled throughout 2025. The company did not disclose specific performance metrics beyond altitude reached or details about production timelines.

Raytheon is a defense solutions provider and part of RTX, which reported 2024 sales of more than $80 billion and employs approximately 185,000 people globally. The company maintains a "GOOD" financial health score according to InvestingPro, which offers comprehensive analysis and 12 additional key insights about RTX’s performance and outlook in its Pro Research Report.

In other recent news, Raytheon has secured a significant $271 million contract modification for the production of the Tube-Launched Optically Tracked Missile Weapon System, with work scheduled to be completed by February 2028. Additionally, the company has been awarded two defense contracts totaling over $74 million for radar components and aircraft engine services, highlighting its continued involvement in defense-related projects. Raytheon has also entered a $26 million purchase order with Avio USA to advance engineering work on the Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor, focusing on the Critical Design Review phase and increasing production capacity. In a move to enhance its technological offerings, Raytheon introduced the APG-82(V)X radar, which incorporates advanced gallium nitride technology for improved detection and processing capabilities. Meanwhile, Pratt & Whitney, another RTX business, is accelerating its XA103 engine development for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program through the use of digital data packages. This approach aims to reduce development times and costs while boosting design efficiency.

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