Paveway IV Bomb

Manufacturer: Raytheon UK
Category: Bombs & Aerial Munitions
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Warhead Type Low yield high explosive
Delivery Platforms Fighter and strike aircraft
Guidance GPS and semi active laser
Operational Role Precision close air support and strike

Defense Systems Full Specifications

1. General Information

Name / Designation	Paveway IV
Type	Precision Guided Bomb
Manufacturer	Raytheon UK
Country of Origin	United Kingdom
Year Introduced	2008
Operational Status	Active

2. Physical Characteristics

Weight	Approx 500 lb class
Length	About 3.2 m
Diameter	273 mm
Casing Type	Low fragmentation steel

3. Performance

Guidance	GPS and laser
Accuracy (CEP)	Under 5 m
Delivery Platforms	Typhoon, F 35B, Tornado
Penetration Capability	Limited hardened target capability

4. Warhead / Explosive Details

Warhead Type	High explosive
Fuzing Options	Airburst, impact, delay
Explosive Composition	Classified

5. Operational Use

Primary Mission	Precision strike and close air support
Operators	United Kingdom, allied air forces
Notable Deployments / History	Iraq and Syria operations

6. Variants

Variants

Paveway IV standard configuration

PROS

High accuracy with dual guidance modes
Effective in all weather conditions
Reduced collateral damage design
Compatible with modern NATO aircraft
Proven combat record

CONS

Limited penetration against hardened targets
Short glide range compared to stand off weapons
Not optimized for deep bunker strike
Requires laser designation for moving targets
Primarily used by allied forces, not US stock

Paveway IV Precision Guided Bomb System

The Paveway IV is a modern precision guided bomb designed for accurate air to ground strikes in complex combat environments. Built for today’s air forces, it focuses on precision, flexibility, and reduced collateral damage during close support and strike missions.

Developed by Raytheon UK, the Paveway IV entered service in the late 2000s and has become a standard guided weapon for the Royal Air Force and allied air arms. While not a US inventory weapon, it is widely integrated on US made aircraft operated by partner nations, making it relevant to American defense planning and interoperability.

Design and Capabilities

Paveway IV combines GPS and laser guidance into a single weapon, allowing pilots to switch guidance modes during flight. This dual mode system ensures effectiveness in poor weather, urban terrain, or against moving targets. The bomb uses a low yield high explosive warhead optimized for precision strikes with limited blast radius.

The weapon can be released from high or low altitude and supports multiple fuze settings, including airburst, impact, and delayed detonation. Its guidance kit allows for high accuracy, often within a few meters of the target, reducing risk to nearby forces and civilians.

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Operational Use and Integration

Paveway IV is cleared on platforms such as the F 35B, Typhoon FGR4, Tornado GR4, and other NATO aircraft. It has seen extensive combat use in the Middle East, supporting counterterrorism operations and close air support missions.

Its small size and flexible guidance make it suitable for internal carriage on stealth aircraft, supporting survivability and mission success in contested airspace.

Paveway IV Bomb Price

The estimated unit cost of the Paveway IV bomb ranges between 40,000 and 50,000 US dollars depending on guidance kit configuration, production volume, and support packages. Pricing reflects precision guidance components rather than the bomb body itself.

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