TUCSON, Ariz., April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership
with the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy deployed the
second-generation Standard Missile-3 Block IB made by Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN) for the first time, initiating the second phase
of the Phased Adaptive Approach.
"The SM-3 Block IB's completion of initial operational testing
last year set the stage for a rapid deployment to theater," said
Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of
Raytheon Missile Systems. "The SM-3's highly successful test
performance gives combatant commanders around the world the
confidence they need to counter the growing ballistic missile
threat."
In 2009, the administration announced the U.S.'s decision to
adopt a new, more flexible approach to missile defense of both the
U.S. and Europe. The Phased
Adaptive Approach (PAA) Phase 1 began in March 2011 when the USS Monterey deployed
carrying SM-3 Block IAs.
"The SM-3 program's evolution speaks to the importance of
harnessing past successes to deliver increasingly capable systems
to our customers, while reducing costs and delivery timelines,"
said Dr. Mitch Stevison, Raytheon's
Standard Missile-3 program director.
In Oct. 2013, ground broke in
Romania on the first operational
Aegis Ashore site, which will be capable of launching SM-3 Block
IAs, IBs and IIAs. The site continues on track for 2015 deployment
as part of PAA Phase 2. Along with deployed Aegis Ballistic Missile
Defense ships, Romania's Aegis
Ashore site will provide additional ballistic missile coverage of
NATO countries. The first Aegis Ashore test with the SM-3 Block IB
and upgraded Aegis BMD Weapons System will take place this year at
the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii.
About the Standard Missile-3
SM-3s destroy incoming
ballistic missile threats in space using nothing more than sheer
impact, which is equivalent to a 10-ton truck traveling at 600
mph.
- The program has completed 26 successful intercepts in
space.
- More than 180 SM-3s have been delivered to the U.S. and
Japan to date.
- SM-3 Block IB will be deployed ashore in 2015 in Romania.
- SM-3 Block IIA, co-developed with our Japanese partners, will
have 21 inch 2nd and 3rd stage rocket motors
and a larger, more capable kinetic warhead B
Standard Missile-3 2013 Year-in-Review
Feb.—SM-3 Block IA destroys medium-range ballistic missile
target using remote satellite track information
March—Raytheon's dual-band datalink tested with Thales radar
May—SM-3 Block IB destroys complex, separating ballistic missile
target
June-- Raytheon delivers first SM-3 from its new Alabama missile integration facility
Sept-- SM-3 Block IA destroys medium-range ballistic missile
target during operational test
Sept— US Navy launches two SM-3 Block IBs against single
ballistic missile target; target destroyed
Oct.—SM-3 Block IB destroys medium range ballistic missile
target; completes initial operational testing
Oct.—SM-3 Block IIA completes critical design review and
Propulsion Test Vehicle-01; program moves from design to build
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a
history of innovation spanning 92 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 cyber security and a broad range of mission support
services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit
us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter
@Raytheon.
Media Contacts
Heather
Uberuaga
+1.520.891.8421
rmspr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company