TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 26, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Terminal High
Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar built by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)
performed successfully in the latest integrated flight test conducted by
the Missile Defense Agency and THAAD prime contractor, Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT), at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii June 25.
The test marked a significant "first" for the THAAD program: the
intercept of a "mid-endoatmospheric" (inside Earth's atmosphere),
separating target over the Pacific Ocean. The THAAD radar played a critical
role in discriminating the lethal object within the threat complex, leading
to the subsequent successful intercept of the lethal object. The test
demonstrated fully integrated radar, launcher, fire control, missile, and
engagement functions of the THAAD weapon system.
"This latest test of THAAD's missile defense capability is the most
challenging thus far, and once again, Raytheon's components have performed
exceptionally," said Pete Franklin, vice president, National & Theater
Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "The success
underscores THAAD's ability to meet the missile defense mission and provide
a reliable and affordable terminal missile defense capability for our
nation."
The THAAD radar, also known as the AN/TPY-2, achieved all test
objectives: acquiring the target complex, discriminating the lethal object,
providing track and discrimination data to the fire control and
communicating with the in-flight THAAD interceptor. The fire control
software, jointly developed by Raytheon and THAAD prime contractor Lockheed
Martin, also performed successfully, engaging the target complex and
initializing the launch sequence.
Raytheon's AN/TPY-2 radar provides a common capability, enabling both a
terminal mode in support of the THAAD weapon system and a forward-based
mode enabling MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System. The AN/TPY-2 is a
phased array, capable of search, threat detection, classification,
discrimination and precision tracking at extremely long ranges.
THAAD is a key element of the Missile Defense Agency's Ballistic
Missile Defense System, providing to any combatant commander deployable
ground-based missile defense components that deepen, extend and complement
the system to defeat ballistic missiles of short-to-intermediate range.
THAAD's combination of high-altitude, long-range capability and hit-to-kill
lethality enables it to effectively negate the effects of weapons of mass
destruction over a wide area.
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace
Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad
international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile
Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland
Security.
Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology
leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government
markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86
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 72,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
Joyce Melikian
339.645.6967
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Joyce Melikian of Raytheon Company,
+1-339-645-6967
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