12-pound UAV bomb flies

TUCSON, Ariz. - Raytheon has completed captive carry tests of its Small Tactical Munition Phase II configuration, paving the way for flight tests of the bombs for Shadow-class unmanned systems. The 12-pound, 22-inch, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb is designed to engage moving and static targets, and can be used by manned and unmanned aircraft. It has foldable fins and wings, enabling deployment from common launch tubes. (Source: Raytheon, 11/30/11) Gulf Coast note: Portions of the Global Hawk and Fire Scout are built in Moss Point, Miss.; the Navy is developing an armed version of the Fire Scout; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., develops aerial weapons; the Coast Guard in Mobile, Ala., has a UAV training program.