EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- A solid-state
illuminator laser developed by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) for the Missile
Defense Agency has been fired successfully more than 50 times for periods
of up to 90 seconds since in-flight tests began in January.
The kilowatt-class illuminator, built for the agency's Airborne Laser
(ABL) program and fired from a heavily modified Boeing 747, is used to
track a boosting ballistic missile. The projectile is then destroyed by the
ABL's high-energy laser.
Raytheon created the illuminator as a major supplier to Lockheed
Martin, which provides the ABL Beam Control/Fire Control segment. Boeing is
the prime contractor for the program and integrates the segment into the
ABL system.
"We're very pleased with the performance of our laser and proud of its
role in the nation's missile defense," said Nick Uros, vice president for
the Advanced Concepts and Technology group of Raytheon Space and Airborne
Systems. "We'll be watching with keen interest as the test program
continues."
The illuminator has been fired more than 900 times since installation
on the aircraft for ground tests that began in 2006. It has conducted more
than 140 million pulsed laser shots, "a remarkable achievement for
high-power solid-state lasers," according to Uros.
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is a leading provider of
sensor systems giving military forces the most accurate and timely
actionable intelligence available for the network-centric battlefield. With
2006 revenues of $4.3 billion and 12,000 employees, SAS is headquartered in
El Segundo, Calif. Additional facilities are in Goleta, Calif.; Forest,
Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several international
locations.
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology
leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government
markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85
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 73,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
Art Bentley
310.647.3266
Arthur_H_Bentley@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Art Bentley, +1-310-647-3266,
Arthur_H_Bentley@raytheon.com
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