Pyros (bomb)

The Pyros, previously referred to as the Small Tactical Munition (STM), is a weapon developed by Raytheon, designed to be used by UCAVs.[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 July 18, 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
  1. "STM / Small Tactical Munition". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  2. "Raytheon tests Small Tactical Munition for UAV's". Frontier India Defense News. Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  3. "AUVSI: Raytheon designing UAV-specific weapons". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  4. "USMC seeks to arm Shadow, fast and without US Army help". Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  5. "Raytheon Company: AUSA 2010: Griffin and Small Tactical Munition". Archived from the original on 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2010-12-19.
  6. New Warhead Reduces Size of Small Tactical Munition - Deagel.com, April 19, 2011
  7. Raytheon's New Collateral Damage Minimizing Munition - Forbes.com, 10 August 2012
  8. Tiny 2-Foot Missile Could Be ‘Months’ Away From Drone War - Wired.com, July 13, 2012
  9. AUVSI: Raytheon completes end-to-end testing of Pyros bomb - Flightglobal.com, August 7, 2012
  10. Raytheon Small Tactical Munition Scores Direct Hit In First Guided Flight Test - Reuters.com, August 7, 2012
  11. Tiny Guided Bomb Scores a Direct Hit on Arizona Test Range Archived 2014-09-10 at the Wayback Machine - Raytheon news release, 21 August 2014
  12. Raytheon promotes Pyros for Middle East UAV operators - Flightglobal.com, 17 November 2013
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