[Kliopeion]

Raytheon has demonstrated a wireless method of integrating its combat-proven Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bomb on the French Navy Rafale fighter aircraft. WiPAK avionics kit enables integration of Paveway on a variety of aircraft without any modifications to aircraft wiring or changes to the flight and stores management software.
During the test, an Enhanced Paveway II GBU-49 was dropped from the RAFALE aircraft at the Biscarrosse test range in Southwestern France. "Enhanced Paveway II GBU-49 has been in operation with the French Navy for more than six years on their Super Etendard Modernise. EPII was used extensively during Operation Harmattan in Libya," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems. "The success of the SEM program led the French Navy to investigate adding the Enhanced Paveway II to their next generation RAFALE fighter."

WiPAK consists of a small wireless transmitter, located in the aircraft cockpit coupled with a pilot interface, and a small receiver affixed to the Paveway weapon. The WiPAK allows the use of Raytheon's Enhanced Paveway II family of weapons on aircraft previously unable to carry such precision smart weapons. Raytheon's WiPAK is a combat proven system, used operationally on counterinsurgency aircraft. Raytheon is now testing and deploying the system on other similar aircraft as well as fighter jets.

WiPAK uses wireless connectivity technology similar to what is being used in laptop and tablet computers.