EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Exoatmospheric Kill
Vehicle (EKV), the PAVE PAWS Early Warning Radar (EWR) and the Ground Based
Radar-Prototype (GBR-P), designed and built by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN),
were key components of a successful integrated system test of the Ground-based
Midcourse Defense Segment (GMDS -- formerly National Missile Defense) program
conducted July 14.
This test, designated IFT-6, resulted in the second successful intercept
of a ballistic missile target by the EKV and was the third integrated flight
test to use the PAVE PAWS EWR and GBR-P in operational modes. The
participating PAVE PAWS EWR is one of five EWRs that will be upgraded to
improve track accuracy, search capability, and object classification. The GBR-
P, located at Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, is the test bed
radar for the X-Band Radar (XBR) currently under development by Raytheon for
the GMDS program.
"IFT-6, a truly integrated technical accomplishment, was a spectacular
achievement for the entire team," said William H. Swanson, president of
Raytheon Company's Electronic Systems business. "An incredible amount of
coordination among the Boeing-led contractor team members resulted in a
seamless system integration and yet-another successful intercept. We are
extremely pleased with the performance of the PAVE PAWS, GBR-P and EKV and are
proud of the many Raytheon employees whose professional contributions led to
this success."
A Lockheed Martin payload launch vehicle, equipped with the Raytheon-built
EKV, was launched from Kwajalein after the GBR-P acquired, identified and
tracked a target missile. The target missile, which was equipped with a mock
reentry vehicle and a decoy, had lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base,
Calif., approximately 20 minutes earlier.
The EKV's primary mission objective was to achieve a "hit-to-kill"
intercept under the direction of the TRW Battle Management Command, Control
and Communications (BMC3) system. Secondarily, the EKV gathered key sensor,
divert and lethality data during the flight test.
The EKV achieved its secondary objective with the BMC3 system collecting
data on the kill vehicle's ability to track, acquire and discriminate target
complex objects including the reentry vehicle. IFT-6 also tested the EKV's
ability to perform in the final seconds, or end game, just prior to target
interception.
The primary objectives of the PAVE PAWS EWR included initial target
complex acquisition and providing precision track estimates to support GBR-P
cueing. The primary objectives of the GBR-P included acquiring the target
complex, placing all objects into track, performing discrimination and
providing kill assessment. Secondary objectives included discrimination of the
reentry vehicle from other objects in the target cluster using high-resolution
waveforms. Additionally, the GBR-P collected calibration data on the reentry
vehicle and other objects as well as medium and high resolution data for kill
assessment analysis. The GBR-P also generated in-flight target updates, target
object maps and kill assessment reports in response to BMC3 commands, as well
as for post mission analysis.
The components of the GMDS system are programs at two Electronic Systems
business units. The EKV is currently under development at the Missile Systems
unit in Tucson, Ariz. The company's Air/Missile Defense Systems unit based in
Bedford, Mass., developed the PAVE PAWS and Ballistic Missile Early Warning
System (BMEWS) radar upgrades as well as the GBR-P for the GMDS system test
program and is also developing the XBR with greater capability for the
operational GMDS system.
All Raytheon programs are part of the Boeing Company-led GMDS Prime
Contractor program. As the lead contractor to Boeing for the EKV, Raytheon
currently is under contract to provide 25 vehicles in support of the GMDS
flight test program. Raytheon also is under contract to Boeing to develop and
deliver kill vehicles that meet evolving threat requirements and has submitted
proposals to Boeing to support FY2005 -- 2007 deployment options.
IFT-6 was the fourth flight test conducted under the direction of Boeing.
A series of flight tests, designed to incrementally test all aspects of the
GMDS architecture, is scheduled to continue throughout the initial contract
period that extends into 2007.
The Ground-based Midcourse Defense Segment program is managed by the Joint
Program Office of the Department of Defense's Ballistic Missile Defense
Organization, a joint service agency headquartered in Washington, D.C.
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company is a global technology
leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, and business and
special mission aircraft.
Notes to Editors:
(1) The EKV has its own infrared seeker, propulsion, communications,
discrimination algorithms, guidance and control system, and computers to
support target selection and intercept decisions in the end game of the
intercept mission. The EKV is the intercept component of the Ground Based
Interceptor, the weapon element of the planned GMDS system. Raytheon is
transitioning payload assembly from its engineering laboratory to its world-
class EKV manufacturing facility and is on schedule to deliver its first
production payload in January 2002.
(2) The GBR-P is the prototype Fire Control Radar for the GMDS mission. It
provides real-time operation of data via integrated tests with the EKV and
BMC3 regarding precision target discrimination, target object mapping, kill
assessment, and simultaneous electro-mechanical scan. The system design
leverages Raytheon's Theater Missile Defense radar technology developed for
the Theater High Altitude Area Defense Program Definition and Risk Reduction
program. GBR-P is being used in GMDS system testing to evaluate radar
hardware, software and performance capability and is a critical stepping stone
toward cost effective and timely GMDS development and potential deployment.
(3) The PAVE PAWS and BMEWS early warning radars will be upgraded with new
and modified radar hardware and software to implement improved algorithms. The
algorithms will enhance the detection, tracking accuracy and object
classification capabilities of these radars while concurrently performing the
EWR Integrated Threat Warning and Attack Assessment of intercontinental
ballistic missiles and sea launched ballistic missiles and space surveillance
missions. The proposed Upgraded Early Warning Radars include the Thule,
Fylingdales and Clear BMEWS and the Cape Cod and Beale PAVE PAWS.
(4) Raytheon also is a member of one of two contractor teams selected to
define program requirements and complete conceptual designs for an operational
SBIRS Low system under a 38-month contract. SBIRS-Low will incorporate new
technologies to enhance detection and improve the reporting of ballistic
missile launches.
Contacts:
For EKV
Colleen Niccum, (520) 794-8565
For GBR-P, PAVE PAWS
Steve Brecken, (781) 999-2222
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Colleen Niccum for EKV, +1-520-794-8565; or
Steve Brecken for GBR-P, PAVE PAWS, +1-781-999-2222
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