“With our AMRAAM programme, we still have an opportunity in the MMRCA deal,” said Caesar Rico Rodrique, Jr of Raytheon

Cesar Rico Rodriguez Jr., International Programmes and Growth, Air Warfare System, Raytheon, was on a visit to India recently, to size up Raytheon’s advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) programme and hinted at an opportunity for the weapon manufacturer in the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal. “We found that not everyone is aware about AMRAAM. We have got platforms that are flying in the Western Hemisphere today. The ability of AMRAAM to be part of the MMRCA exists, and is available through the US Government FMS route. There is still an opportunity,” he said and added, “We have been a part of the integration process all around the world—Gripen, F-18, F-16, F-15, and can do so if desired by IAF too.

“Our Paveway relationship is not only with India, but we also have relations with French Air Force and were a part of their performance in the recent operations in Libya.”

Speaking to Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia of SP’s Aviation, Rodriguez further said that the other thing that they want to highlight is Raytheon’s ability to upgrade the third generation legacy airplanes with fourth generation capabilities. “We have a variety of integration technologies, some of which are unique to Paveway and the other system. We now want to take the Jaguar aircraft, which some people might think is falling behind in terms of technology, and integrate it with precision weapons. Very few weapon manufacturers are thinking like Raytheon to bring the legacy platforms forward. We work on a cross section of airplanes as our weapons last that long. We have the laser Maverick, which has been upgraded and now has incredible capability.”

On being asked whether there is a possibility of Maverick to be integrated on MiG-27, Rodriguez said that the opportunities are there. “Once an aircraft becomes the property of the IAF, it becomes an Indian platform, although it is a Russian made aircraft. Whether a Maverick or a Paveway, it can all go in a Su-30 as well. Technically the integration is possible, albeit politically undefined. Whether FMS or DCS, we have the final gatekeeper process. It’s the US Government, which takes the decision.”