The Italian Typhoons were spotted at RAF Marham in July 2025, carrying live Paveway IV bombs and working at the MOD Aberporth range.
Raytheon UK announced on Sep. 8, 2025, that it successfully conducted Paveway IV integration trials on the Eurofighter Typhoon. While the company did not name the operator of the aircraft, we reported in July 2025 that Typhoons of the Italian Air Force were spotted at RAF Marham carrying live Paveway IV bombs and working at the MOD Aberporth range.
As a matter of fact, the press release by Raytheon UK mentions that the trials were conducted in July at RAF Marham and MOD Aberporth. The trials included weapon and platform training, live-fire exercises, mission planning simulations and cross-force tactical integration.
The company said RWM Italia, part of Rheinmetall group, facilitated the integration trials. In fact, the Italian company produces the Mk-82 500 lb (227 kg) warhead for the Paveway IV, which is developed and manufactured by Raytheon.
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“The successful completion of these trials is an important milestone in allied defense cooperation,” said James Gray, CEO of Raytheon UK. “Our work with RWM Italia S.p.A and the Royal Air Force exemplifies how industry can enable greater interoperability, lethality and capability across NATO forces, helping them maintain air superiority.”
Implicitly confirming the involvement of an allied nation, Capt RN Deavin, Combat Air Deputy Force Commander, said “this collaboration underscores the strength of NATO partnerships and our shared commitment to maintaining a technological edge on the battlefield.”
Italian Air Force Typhoons at RAF Marham
A detachment including an F-2000A (as the single seat Eurofighter Typhoons are designated in Italy) and two TF-2000As (designation for the twin seat Typhoons) was deployed to RAF Marham in the UK for the live fire activity with the Paveway IV dual mode laser and GPS/INS guided bombs. The activities were conducted by the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Flight Test Unit), as the aircraft were using the unit’s SPERA callsign while communicating with air traffic control.
On that occasion, the photos captured by our contributor Stewart Jack clearly showed the jets each equipped with two live (as denoted by the yellow band) Paveway IV bombs under the wings’ inner pylons. The Typhoons were also equipped with two external fuel tanks and a Litening 5 targeting pod.
Expanding Italian Typhoon’s Capabilities
The integration of the Paveway IV dual mode laser and GPS/INS guided bombs on the Italian F-2000 fleet was not previously announced. The weapon is currently used only by the Royal Air Force’s and Royal Saudi Air Force’s Typhoons.
Until now, the only air-to-ground precision guided munition available to the Italian Typhoons were the GBU-16 Paveway II and the GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II. The weapons are both based on the Mk-83 1,000 lb (454 kg) warhead, with the latter being an upgrade of the former and also known as EGBU-16.
The GBU-48 was chosen by Italy, Germany and Spain as alternative to the Paveway IV to complement the GBU-16. On the other hand, the UK integrated the Paveway IV, which was already used by the Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR9, through Project Centurion, replacing the GBU-16.
The integration of the Paveway IV on the Italian Typhoons might also take advantage of the lessons learned by the RAF. In fact, as part of an Implementing Arrangement, the Italian Air Force and the Royal Air Force are working to increase the interoperability in the maintenance and logistics of their common Typhoon fleets, as well as the integration of their assets when employed in the same operational context.
The Paveway IV in Detail
The Paveway IV is a dual-mode precision-guided bomb developed by Raytheon UK for the United Kingdom. At its core, the Paveway IV is a 500 lb (226 kg) Mk 82 general-purpose bomb equipped with an enhanced guidance and control kit.
The weapon is part of the Paveway family of laser-guided munitions but incorporates advanced features to enhance targeting accuracy, operational flexibility, and reduced collateral damage. The system, compared to the standard Paveway II, combines a semi-active laser seeker with GPS/INS (Global Positioning System / Inertial Navigation System) guidance.
This allows the weapon to strike both stationary and moving targets in all weather conditions, day or night, a capability which was also tested with the F-35 in 2018. The dual-mode guidance significantly increases targeting versatility and reliability in complex operational environments.
One of the Paveway IV’s standout features is its programmable fuzing. Aircrews can select between airburst, impact, and delayed detonation modes shortly before release, optimizing effects against various target types such as armored vehicles, bunkers, or personnel in the open.
The weapon also includes a low collateral damage variant with a reduced-yield warhead for urban and counter-insurgency operations. A penetrating warhead variant is also being developed as part of the SPEAR 1 (Selective Precision Effects at Range Capability 1) effort.
Operational History and Global Operators
First entering service in 2008, the Paveway IV has become a core element of the Royal Air Force’s air-to-ground strike capability. The weapon is cleared for use on the RAF’s Typhoon FGR4 and F-35B Lightning II, and was previously integrated on the Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR9, seeing extensively use in operations over Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya.
In addition to the RAF, the Paveway IV is used by the Royal Saudi Air Force’s Typhoons and Tornados and has been acquired by Qatar to equip its own Typhoons. Also, in 2024, the U.K. Ministry of Defense included the Paveway IV in the weapons being supplied to Ukraine, although it has not yet been spotted in the war-torn country and it is unclear on which platform it will be used.
