Exchange program helps services acquire laser missiles for free.

• Author: Jean Grace V.
• Position: Close Air Support

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The producer of the laser-guided AGM-65 Maverick missile, Raytheon Corp., is recycling unused missiles in the military's inventory to help services acquire needed weapons at almost no cost.

Through a "replacement exchange in-kind" program overseen by the Government Services Administration, the company refurbishes and upgrades existing Mavericks and sells them to international customers. Part of the proceeds is placed in a credit pool, which the services can use to buy newer or different variants of missiles, says Chuck Pinney, Maverick program director.

The program so far has raised more than $81 million in exchange credits and company...