The U.S. Navy has officially approved Raytheon's StormBreaker smart weapon for operational use on F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets. After extensive testing and development spanning years and hundreds of millions of dollars, the weapon gives Navy pilots the ability to strike both moving and stationary targets in any weather conditions.

This approval marks a significant upgrade to the Super Hornet's strike capabilities, which have historically struggled in rough weather and low-visibility conditions. The StormBreaker's 45-mile range allows pilots to engage targets while staying outside enemy defenses, and its compact size means Super Hornets can carry more bombs simultaneously, reducing the number of aircraft needed for missions.

Powered by a sophisticated three-part guidance system using millimeter wave radar, imaging infrared, and laser targeting, the StormBreaker can detect and track targets day or night. The Air Force has already purchased 1,500 units for $320 million, making each bomb cost over $213,000. Defense officials say this all-weather capability addresses a critical operational gap, as adversaries have exploited bad weather to evade traditional line-of-sight attacks.