TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 18, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Raytheon
Missile Systems and BAE Systems Bofors' Excalibur team successfully
concluded safety testing of the Excalibur global positioning system-guided
155 mm artillery projectile. Excalibur is the next-generation family of
projectiles for U.S. Army and Marine Corps artillery.
The Sequential Environmental Test-Safety (SET-S) series of 15 Excalibur
projectiles took place Aug. 24 to 30. The program is a cooperative effort
between the United States and Sweden.
The success of the SET-S series brings the team closer to the early
fielding goal. The next steps prior to fielding to deployed forces early in
2007 are production verification tests, first-article tests and a limited
user test.
The projectiles were fired from an M109A6 Paladin howitzer during the
tests at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. The Excalibur rounds in the SET-S
firing series were conditioned at extreme hot and cold temperatures,
subjected to shock and vibration testing to simulate logistical and
tactical transportation, initialized with the portable Excalibur fire
control system, and fired at much higher than normal charge levels to
demonstrate safety margin in the projectile design. Some of the rounds also
were fired at 5 degrees off-axis to demonstrate the projectile's enhanced
maneuverability and operational flexibility.
The goal of the SET-S series is to verify that Excalibur is safe to
handle, transport, and fire as part of the Army's safety confirmation for
fielding. Despite the over-margin test conditions, Excalibur continued to
exceed its accuracy requirements. Average CEP (Circular Error Probability)
was demonstrated at about 5 meters (16.5 feet), significantly better than
the 10- meter (33 feet) requirement. One projectile detonated with
devastating effects less than two feet from the target center.
The Excalibur program currently is responding to an urgent request from
the warfighter to accelerate fielding because of the projectile's better
than 10-meter accuracy that is not available from any other artillery
projectile. Because of its accuracy and increased effectiveness, Excalibur
reduces the logistical burden for deployed ground forces. It also provides
lower collateral damage through its concentrated fragmentation pattern,
increased precision and near-vertical descent.
Excalibur produces a wide range of effects in all terrain at extended
ranges and in all weather conditions. With 155 mm howitzers part of the
standard organization in current operations, Excalibur's precision effects
are readily available to small-unit maneuver elements.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people
worldwide.
Contact:
Everett Tackett, APR
520.794.9494
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Everett Tackett of APR, +1-520-794-9494
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