EAST CAMDEN, Ark., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the first production Evolved SEASPARROW
Missile (ESSM) to the U.S. Navy yesterday, defining the future of ship
defense.
"ESSM provides improved ship self-defense capabilities against faster,
lower, smaller and more maneuverable anti-ship missile threats as well as
increased firepower," said Capt. Ken Graber, the NATO SEASPARROW project
manager.
ESSM is an international cooperative upgrade of the RIM-7 NATO SEASPARROW
Missile. SEASPARROW is already the most widely deployed ship-defense missile
system in the world. The new missile will provide the primary air defense for
the capital ships of the 10 participating NATO navies. Discussions are under
way to outfit the ships of at least six other navies as well.
The program is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, a 32-year-old
organization described as "NATO's largest and most successful cooperative
weapons project." Raytheon's Missile Systems business unit in Tucson, Ariz.,
is leading the team of 18 companies from 10 countries in developing and
producing this next-generation SEASPARROW ship self-defense system. The other
nations participating in ESSM's development include Australia, Canada,
Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Turkey.
ESSM has the speed, agility and accuracy to engage threats to the
launching vessel at maximum range and in the most challenging of conditions.
The final phase of the missile's flight test program is scheduled for the
early spring of 2003 when performance with the AEGIS Fire Control System of
the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers will be
verified.
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company is a global
technology leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, and
business and special mission aircraft.
Contact:
Sara Hammond
520.794.7810
Cell: 520.349.3356
SOURCE Raytheon Company
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Sara Hammond of Raytheon Company,
+1-520-794-7810
|
