Raytheon announced that it has formally restarted production of the laser-guided variant of its AGM-65 Maverick direct-attack air-to-ground missile after more than two decades of dormancy. Manufacture of the new Laser Maverick began following a rigorous Air Force-Navy testing program that culminated in a $25 million contract from the Air Force in December for production, according to the company. The Air Force expects to take delivery of its first new-build AGM-65L—the service’s designation for the missile—in late 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps designate the new Laser Maverick the AGM-65E2. During developmental and operational testing, AV-8Bs, A-10s, F-16s, and F/A-18s fired a total of 15 Laser Mavericks at stationary targets and moving objects, some of which were traveling in excess of 70 miles per hour, said Raytheon.
More than 10 months beyond the originally expected goal, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin have reached a “handshake deal” on Lots 15-17 of the fighter, which collectively will amount to only 375 aircraft. No pricing information was included in the JPO’s announcement, which awaits formal signature. The…