In a first-of-its-kind dual missile defense test, two Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN – News)-built Standard Missile-3s, fired from a U.S. Navy ship, simultaneously intercepted and destroyed two short-range ballistic missile targets in space, Nov. 6.
This was the first time a Navy ship demonstrated simultaneous engagements against ballistic missile targets outside the earth’s atmosphere. These were the 10th and 11th successful intercepts for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system’s SM-3.
The crew of the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) fired both SM-3 Block IA intercepting missiles, while personnel at the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai launched the ballistic missile targets.
“These successful intercepts add to SM-3’s impressive flight test record and are a clear demonstration of Raytheon’s commitment to Mission Assurance,” said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon’s vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. “SM-3 plays a vital role in protecting our nation against the threat of ballistic missiles.”
SM-3 is being developed as part of the Missile Defense Agency’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missiles will be deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. Raytheon also is developing the kinetic warhead for SM-3.
Raytheon’s Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is producing 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.
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning more than 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Note to Editors:
Raytheon’s missile defense hit-to-kill successes:
Standard Missile-3 Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle Jan. 25, 2002 Oct. 2, 1999 June 13, 2002 July 13, 2001 Nov. 21, 2002 Dec. 3, 2001 Dec. 11, 2003 March 15, 2002 Feb. 24, 2005 Oct. 14, 2002 Nov. 17, 2005 Sept. 1, 2006 June 22, 2006 Sept. 28, 2007 April 26, 2007 June 22, 2007 Nov. 6, 2007