Raytheon Fires Two Pike 40 mm Guided Munitions

Raytheon has successfully fired two new Pike 40 mm precision-guided munitions from a standard tube grenade launcher during flight tests Tuesday.

Both rounds landed within the targeted impact area after flying more than 2,300 yards.

"Pike uses a digital, semi-active laser seeker to engage both fixed and slow-moving, mid-range targets," said J. R. Smith, Raytheon's Advanced Land Warfare Systems director in a press release. "This new guided munition can provide the warfighter with precision, extended-range capability never before seen in a hand-held weapon on the battlefield."

Weighing less than two pounds and measuring just 16.8 inches in length, Pike can be fired from a conventional, single-shot grenade launcher such as the M320 or EGLM (Enhanced Grenade Launching Module). Pike's rocket motor ignites eight to 10 feet after launch and is nearly smokeless for reduced launch signature.

"In the current configuration, the warfighter will enter programmable laser codes prior to loading Pike into its launcher. Spiral development calls for multiple-round simultaneous programming and targeting with data link capabilities," said Smith.

Additional Pike upgrades include the ability to fire it from platform-mounted launchers on small boats, all-terrain vehicles and small unmanned aircraft systems.