U.S. Navy approves Raytheon's StormBreaker® smart weapon for use on Super Hornet fleet
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.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers showed mixed moves: BA down 2.18%, while LMT, GD, HWM, and NOC were up between 1.32% and 1.84%. Momentum scanner flagged only ESLT up 2.12% with no news, suggesting this StormBreaker approval looked more company-specific than a broad sector wave.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17 | Cabin product accolade | Positive | +1.7% | Collins Aerospace SkyNook named 2026 Crystal Cabin Award finalist. |
| Feb 17 | Defense supply contract | Positive | +1.7% | Raytheon awarded contract to build domestic TFLN wafer production. |
| Feb 11 | Counter‑drone demo | Positive | +0.7% | Coyote Block 3NK system defeats multiple drone swarms in Army exercise. |
| Feb 10 | 5G–radar coexistence | Positive | -0.5% | RTX BBN wins contract to prototype smart spectrum manager for 5G and radar. |
| Feb 06 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -1.2% | Board declares $0.68 quarterly cash dividend with long payment history. |
Recent defense and technology wins have generally seen modestly positive price reactions, though some positive corporate actions like dividends have coincided with short-term pullbacks.
Over the past few weeks, RTX has reported a series of defense and technology milestones. On Feb. 17, 2026, Collins Aerospace became a 2026 Crystal Cabin Award finalist and Raytheon announced a TFLN wafer supply contract, both followed by +1.72% moves. Earlier in February, Raytheon showcased counter‑drone and spectrum‑sharing advances, with mixed price responses. A quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, declared on Feb. 6, 2026, coincided with a -1.24% move. Today’s Navy StormBreaker approval continues this cadence of incremental defense capability wins.
Regulatory & Risk Context
RTX has an effective S-3ASR shelf registration dated 2025-09-18, effective through 2028-09-18. It covers a range of securities, including debt, warrants, common stock, stock purchase contracts and equity units, with specific terms set in future prospectus supplements. As of the latest data, recorded usage count is 0, indicating no takedowns under this shelf in the referenced period.
Market Pulse Summary
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.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Precision strike capability will increase fleet lethality and survivability
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
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
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
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
What did Raytheon announce about StormBreaker approval for the Super Hornet on February 20, 2026 (RTX)?
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When did the Super Hornet first carry StormBreaker and what does that mean for RTX investors?
