Raytheon UK Completes Paveway IV Bomb Trials on Eurofighter Typhoon
Raytheon UK has announced that it had successfully completed integration trials of the Paveway IV precision-guided bomb on the Eurofighter Typhoon. Paveway IV is a 500-lb-class, dual-mode GPS/INS and semi-active laser–guided bomb developed by Raytheon UK with a Rheinmetall Italia Mk-82 warhead. Its blend of inertial/GPS navigation and laser homing technology gives Typhoon crews a precise strike option in any weather, day or night. The weapon’s advanced fuze can air-burst or penetrate as needed. It makes it effective against both area and hardened targets while minimizing collateral damage.
In July 2025, Raytheon UK led a UK–NATO test program at RAF Marham and the MOD Aberporth ranges. The trials were conducted with support from RWM Italia (Rheinmetall) and included weapon and platform training, live-fire drops, mission planning simulations and joint-force tactical exercises. The focus was to certify the compatibility of the new Rheinmetall-supplied Mk-82 warhead and guidance kit with Typhoon’s systems. According to AeroTime, one goal was to approve the updated warhead on Typhoon platforms (Typhoon crews had already fielded Paveway IV with earlier warheads). Completing these tests means UK Typhoons can now safely carry and employ live Paveway IV bombs.
Operationally, the integration broadens Typhoon’s ground-attack arsenal. The bomb’s dual guidance lets Typhoons strike precision targets even in GPS-denied or bad-weather conditions by switching to laser mode. This gives pilots a flexible precision-attack weapon against fixed or moving targets. Raytheon UK CEO James Gray called the trials “a significant milestone in allied defense cooperation.” He noted that collaborating with RWM Italia and the RAF “shows how industry can enhance interoperability, lethality, and capability across NATO forces, ultimately helping them maintain air superiority.” RAF’s Combat Air Deputy Force Commander Capt. RN Deavin added that the effort “underscores the strength of NATO partnerships and our shared commitment to maintaining a technological edge on the battlefield.”
This achievement fits into broader Typhoon modernization plans. Along with new AESA radars and future weapons, certified use of Paveway IV ensures Typhoon remains highly lethal into the next decade. The UK now joins Italy and Saudi Arabia in fielding the Typhoon–Paveway IV combination. RAF Typhoons will have access to a mature, battle-proven precision bomb, enhancing their mission flexibility and accuracy while also aligning UK strike jets with allied forces on shared munitions.