U.S. Navy approves Raytheon's StormBreaker® smart weapon for use on Super Hornet fleet

Raytheon (NYSE: RTX) announced U.S. Navy approval of the StormBreaker smart weapon for operational use on the F/A-18‑E/F Super Hornet, dated February 20, 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

Raytheon (NYSE: RTX) announced U.S. Navy approval of the StormBreaker smart weapon for operational use on the F/A-18‑E/F Super Hornet, dated February 20, 2026. StormBreaker can engage moving and stationary targets in fair and adverse weather, at sea or on land, and allows a single aircraft to strike more surface targets.

The munition is already approved for the F‑15E, was the first carried by the Super Hornet in 2023, and is being integrated on F‑35A/B/C aircraft.

Positive

• Navy approval for Super Hornet operational use (Feb 20, 2026)
• All-weather moving- and fixed-target engagement capability
• Higher sortie effectiveness—compact size lets one aircraft engage more targets
• Platform breadth—approved on F-15E, Super Hornet; integrating on F-35A/B/C

Negative

• None.

Argus Feb 20 session

-0.24% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – RTX

On Feb 20, the day this news came out, RTX closed 0.24% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Feb 20 session.

Market Context

This announcement highlights U.S. Navy operational approval of Raytheon’s StormBreaker for the F/A‑1...

Analysis

This announcement highlights U.S. Navy operational approval of Raytheon’s StormBreaker for the F/A‑18‑E/F Super Hornet, adding to existing use on the F‑15E and integration work on F‑35 variants. It continues a series of recent defense and technology milestones for RTX across counter‑drone, materials, and spectrum‑sharing programs. Investors may track how widely StormBreaker is fielded, subsequent contract disclosures, and any future capital raises under the effective S-3ASR shelf when assessing long‑term impact.

Key Figures

Super Hornet integration year: 2023 Approved platform: F/A-18-E/F Existing platform: F-15E +1 more

Super Hornet integration year

2023

Year F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet first carried StormBreaker in U.S. Navy service

Approved platform

F/A-18-E/F

StormBreaker approved for operational use on Super Hornet fleet

Existing platform

F-15E

StormBreaker already approved for use on F-15E

Platform integration

F-35A/B/C

StormBreaker currently being integrated across F-35 variants

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 17

5 events

1. Feb 17

   Cabin product accolade

   24h Move

   +1.7%

   Collins Aerospace SkyNook named 2026 Crystal Cabin Award finalist.

2. Feb 17

   Defense supply contract

   24h Move

   +1.7%

   Raytheon awarded contract to build domestic TFLN wafer production.

3. Feb 11

   Counter‑drone demo

   24h Move

   +0.7%

   Coyote Block 3NK system defeats multiple drone swarms in Army exercise.

4. Feb 10

   5G–radar coexistence

   24h Move

   -0.5%

   RTX BBN wins contract to prototype smart spectrum manager for 5G and radar.

5. Feb 06

   Dividend declaration

   24h Move

   -1.2%

   Board declares $0.68 quarterly cash dividend with long payment history.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

Precision strike capability will increase fleet lethality and survivability

TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy has approved Raytheon's StormBreaker® smart weapon for operational use on the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet strike fighter. Raytheon is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

StormBreaker is the only operational smart weapon that can engage moving and stationary targets in both fair and adverse weather conditions, at land or at sea. Its compact size allows a single aircraft to engage more surface targets than previously possible. The weapon can also fly to strike mobile targets, reducing the amount of time that aircrews spend in harm's way.

"The Super Hornet plays a critical role in the Navy's air combat strategy and equipping it with StormBreaker increases the aircraft's lethality by enabling precision strike in all weather conditions," said Sam Deneke, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon. "StormBreaker's accuracy and versatility gives operators the upper hand in the most degraded environments, ensuring they can complete the mission and return home safely."  

In 2023, the Super Hornet became the first U.S. Navy aircraft to carry StormBreaker. It has had exceptional performance in combat on the aircraft.

StormBreaker is approved for use on the F-15E and the F/A-18-E/F Super Hornet, and is currently being integrated on the F-35A/B/C.

About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.

About RTX
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-navy-approves-raytheons-stormbreaker-smart-weapon-for-use-on-super-hornet-fleet-302693106.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Raytheon announce about StormBreaker approval for the Super Hornet on February 20, 2026 (RTX)?

The U.S. Navy approved StormBreaker for operational use on the F/A-18‑E/F Super Hornet. According to the company, StormBreaker can engage moving and stationary targets in fair and adverse weather, expanding Super Hornet strike capability and mission flexibility.

How does StormBreaker improve the Super Hornet's capabilities (RTX)?

StormBreaker enables precision strikes against moving and fixed targets in all weather conditions. According to the company, its compact size lets a single aircraft engage more surface targets, reducing time aircrews spend in harm's way and increasing lethality.

Which other aircraft have StormBreaker approval or integration (RTX)?

StormBreaker is approved for operational use on the F‑15E and F/A‑18‑E/F Super Hornet and is integrating on F‑35A/B/C. According to the company, the weapon is already in operational use and has demonstrated combat performance.

What mission environments can StormBreaker operate in for Super Hornet pilots (RTX)?

StormBreaker can engage targets at land or sea in both fair and degraded weather conditions. According to the company, the weapon's sensors and guidance allow precision strikes in the most degraded environments to support mission completion and safe return.

When did the Super Hornet first carry StormBreaker and what does that mean for RTX investors?

The Super Hornet first carried StormBreaker in 2023, demonstrating operational use before formal approval. According to the company, that prior deployment and now Navy approval confirm field performance and broader fleet adoption potential.