Raytheon Announces Peregrine Missile Development

摘要

IN THIS world of ever-increasing stealth fighter numbers, American missile manufacturer Raytheon is developing a new medium-range, air-launched weapon. The company is of course producer of the short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder and medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, the current big sticks used by F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning lls. But those jets are tactically handicapped by the low number of missiles carried; space is at a premium inside their respective weapon bays. The only way to increase the capacity of an F-22 or an F-35 is to develop smaller weapons, Raytheon claims to have the answer in the form of its new Peregrine missile. The manufacturer boasts it is half the size and cost of its AIM-120 AMRAAM, valued at $2 million, but delivers greater range and effect against drones, manned aircraft and cruise missiles, which can be employed by fourth- and fifth-generation fighters.