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Raytheon Missile Engage Ballistic Missile And Airborne Targets Over The Pacific Ocean, First Time A U.S. Navy Ship Demonstrates Simultaneous Ship Engagements


WEBWIRE

In a first-of-its-kind dual missile defense test today,
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-produced Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and
Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) simultaneously engaged targets over the Pacific
Ocean.


This was the first time a U.S. Navy ship demonstrated simultaneous ship
engagements against both cruise and ballistic missile targets. It was the
eighth successful intercept for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense
system’s SM-3.


The SM-3 Block IA destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target in
space while SM-2 Block IIIA engaged a cruise missile threat at a lower
altitude. Both intercepting missiles were fired from guided missile cruiser
USS Lake Erie (CG 70) by the ship’s crew. The ballistic missile target was
launched from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. The
subsonic cruise missile target was launched from a range aircraft.


"The success of the SM-3 program is a validation of our strong Missile
Defense Agency, Navy and contractor team" said Louise Francesconi,
president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "This strong customer relationship
and our ability to balance kill vehicle, missile and system requirements
helped to ensure a successful mission"


This test, Flight Test Mission-11, was the second with the Block IA
version of SM-3, and the first IA with a full-capability solid divert and
attitude control system. Raytheon is delivering Block IA rounds for
operational use on Navy cruisers and destroyers.


The SM-3 Block IA provides increased capability to engage short- to
intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The SM-3 Block IA incorporates
rocket motor upgrades and computer program modifications to improve sensor
performance, missile guidance and control, and lower cost. It also includes
producibility and maintainability features required to qualify the missile
as a tactical fleet asset.


“SM-3 represents a truly global missile defense capability,” said Jim
Maslowski, Raytheon Missile Systems international programs vice president
and former director, U.S. Navy International Program Office. "SM-3 can
leverage the deployed base of Standard Missile, which is in operation with
13 nations worldwide. SM-3 really fits into the Chief of Naval Operations’
1,000-ship navy concept"


Raytheon’s Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is developing
SM-3 and leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant
Techsystems, Aerojet and The Boeing Company. The kinetic warhead seeker and
final integration occur in Raytheon’s state-of-the-art kill vehicle space
manufacturing facility in Tucson, alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill
Vehicle, an element of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program. Final
assembly and testing of SM-3 occurs at Raytheon’s Camden, Ark., facility.


SM-2 Block IIIA is an all-weather, ship-launched, medium- to long-range
fleet air defense system, part of a 50-year legacy of ship self-defense
systems.



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