Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Sensor Fuzed Weapon?
A. The Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) is the first and only combat-proven, clean battlefield weapon of its kind in U.S. Air Force inventory. The SFW is designed to accurately detect and defeat a wide range of moving and stationary combat vehicles with minimal collateral damage, while not leaving a single dud. The SFW contains 40 smart Skeet™s that are each equipped with dual-mode passive infrared (IR) and active laser sensors. Each Skeet™ is designed with built in self-destruct features and a time out deactivation mode to render any unexploded ordnance (UXO) harmless within minutes of delivery, leaving a clean battlefield.

Q. How does SFW work?
A. Textron Defense Systems has made use of advanced, computer-driven technologies to design a munition that utilizes lasers as well as heat and altitude sensors to target a heat source. For example, combat vehicle engines. Once deployed, the smart Skeet™ and its two-color infrared (IR) sensor search for targets that match a defined set of IR requirements, while the laser sensor profiles those targets for improved aim. When a valid target is detected, the Skeet™ fires an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) to effectively perforate hardened steel. If a target is not detected, the Skeet™ will self-destruct before reaching the ground. This occurs with a reliability rating of over 99%. In the highly unlikely event that the Skeet™ does not detonate, the Skeet™ will self-neutralize when the battery times out in a matter of minutes.

Q. Is SFW a cluster munition?
A. Although SFW contains multiple smart Skeet™s and has a Cluster Bomb Unit designation (CBU-97/105) by the US. Air Force, it is not a traditional cluster munition. The way it performs its military mission and the fact that SFW poses no hazardous UXO risk distinguishes it from legacy cluster munitions.

Q. Why are you talking so much about SFW?
A. We believe the distinguishing characteristics of Textron Defense Systems' SFW need to be clearer to those governments and Non-Governmental Organizations that are working to ban cluster munitions. We support their goal of eliminating danger to civilians from UXO and have produced a weapon that meets the military objectives of governments while providing a safer, reasonable and responsible alternative to legacy cluster munitions.