Pyros (bomb)

{{Prose|date=December 2025}} {{infobox weapon | name = Small Tactical Munition | image = File:Raytheon Pyros mockup at IDEX 2017.jpg | caption = Raytheon Pyros mockup at [[International Defence Exhibition|IDEX 2017]] | origin = United States  | type = [[UCAV]] bomb  | is_ranged = | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = | is_vehicle = | is_missile = Yes | is_UK =  | service = | used_by = | wars =  | designer = | design_date = | manufacturer = [[Raytheon]] | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | variants =  | spec_label = | weight = {{convert|13|lbs|kg}} | length = {{convert|55|cm|in}} | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = | crew = | passengers =  | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | caliber = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = | feed = | sights =  | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse =  | blade_type = | hilt_type = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type =  | filling = | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield =  | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | transmission = | payload_capacity = | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = | speed = | guidance = Dual-mode seeker: semi-active [[laser guidance]] plus [[GPS]]-[[inertial navigation|INS]] | steering =  | wingspan = | propellant = | ceiling = | altitude = | depth = | boost = | accuracy = | launch_platform = UCAVs | transport = }}

The '''Pyros''', previously referred to as the '''Small Tactical Munition (STM)''', is a weapon developed by [[Raytheon]], designed to be used by [[UCAV]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deagel.com/Bombs-and-Guidance-Kits/STM_a002573001.aspx|accessdate=2010-12-19|title=STM / Small Tactical Munition}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontierindia.net/defense/raytheon-tests-small-tactical-munition-for-uavs|accessdate=2010-12-19|title=Raytheon tests Small Tactical Munition for UAV's|publisher=Frontier India Defense News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128222426/http://frontierindia.net/defense/raytheon-tests-small-tactical-munition-for-uavs|archive-date=2010-11-28|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/08/26/346610/auvsi-raytheon-designing-uav-specific-weapons.html|accessdate=2010-12-19|title=AUVSI: Raytheon designing UAV-specific weapons}}</ref>

== History == Raytheon successfully conducted flight tests in October 2010, and it may be used to arm the [[AAI RQ-7 Shadow]].<ref>{{cite web |title=USMC seeks to arm Shadow, fast and without US Army help |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/12/18/351080/usmc-seeks-to-arm-shadow-fast-and-without-us-army-help.html |accessdate=2010-12-19}}</ref>

In July 2012, Raytheon claimed the STM could be "months" away from fielding.<ref>[https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/07/small-drone-missile-soon/#more-86329 Tiny 2-Foot Missile Could Be ‘Months’ Away From Drone War] - Wired.com, July 13, 2012</ref>

In early August 2012, Raytheon renamed the munition Pyros and completed the first end-to-end test of the bomb.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/auvsi-raytheon-completes-end-to-end-testing-of-pyros-bomb-375250/ AUVSI: Raytheon completes end-to-end testing of Pyros bomb] - Flightglobal.com, August 7, 2012</ref>

The test validated the weapon's guidance modes, height-of-burst sensor, electronic safe and arm device, and multi-effects warhead.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130628024321/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/07/idUS235019+07-Aug-2012+PRN20120807 Raytheon Small Tactical Munition Scores Direct Hit In First Guided Flight Test] - Reuters.com, August 7, 2012</ref>

On July 18, 2014, Raytheon conducted the first live-fire test of the Pyros. The munition targeted a simulated group of insurgents planting a roadside bomb and used its height-of-burst sensor to detonate several feet above the ground.<ref>[http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/feature/rms12_pyro_8_7.html Tiny Guided Bomb Scores a Direct Hit on Arizona Test Range] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195906/http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/feature/rms12_pyro_8_7.html|date=2014-09-10}} - Raytheon news release, 21 August 2014</ref>

== Design == The original model weighs {{convert|13|lbs|kg}}, and originally had a {{convert|7|lb|kg|abbr=on}} warhead.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raytheon Company: AUSA 2010: Griffin and Small Tactical Munition |url=http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn10_ausa/newsroom/news03/index.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221235630/http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology/rtn10_ausa/newsroom/news03/index.html |archivedate=2010-12-21 |accessdate=2010-12-19}}</ref>

On April 18, 2011, Raytheon successfully tested a new {{convert|5|lb|kg|abbr=on}} warhead for the weapon.

Though lighter, the new warhead has a significantly improved blast-fragment capability.<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/New-Warhead-Reduces-Size-of-Small-Tactical-Munition_n000008666.aspx New Warhead Reduces Size of Small Tactical Munition] - Deagel.com, April 19, 2011</ref>

Designed for low collateral damage, its lethal radius is only {{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with non-lethal effects extending further but lethality dropping dramatically.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregorymcneal/2012/08/10/raytheons-new-collateral-damage-minimizing-munition/ Raytheon's New Collateral Damage Minimizing Munition] - Forbes.com, 10 August 2012</ref>

Dropped from an altitude of {{convert|10,000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, the Pyros takes 35–40 seconds to reach the ground.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/dubai-raytheon-promotes-pyros-for-middle-east-uav-operators-393141/ Raytheon promotes Pyros for Middle East UAV operators] - Flightglobal.com, 17 November 2013</ref>

==References== {{reflist|2}}

==External links== *{{Commonscatinline|Pyros (bomb)}} *[http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/pyros/ Pyros] - Raytheon.com

[[Category:Raytheon Company products]] [[Category:Guided bombs of the United States]]