TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Army has awarded
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $52 million fiscal year 2002 production
contract for the Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missile.
The TOW 2 with the multi-mission TOW 2A and TOW 2B missiles is the premier
anti-armor/anti-bunker/anti-fortification weapon system throughout the world
today. Current versions of TOW include the direct fire TOW 2A and top attack
TOW 2B missiles. TOW is in use worldwide on ground and helicopter platforms
in more than 45 countries.
The contract calls for 1,689 TOW 2A, TOW 2B and practice missiles for
Israel, Jordan, Luxembourg, Japan and Spain via Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
Work will be performed at Raytheon's Missile Systems business unit in Tucson,
Ariz., and is expected to be complete about August 2004.
"I'm extremely pleased that TOW remains the U.S. Army and Marine Corps'
primary heavy anti-tank/assault weapon, deployed on more than 7,000 crew-
served tripods and mounted anti-tank guided missile systems," said Paul
Walker, vice president, Raytheon's Land Combat product line. "TOW and its new
variants are being considered by TOW users as the most cost-effective
alternative to meet current and future heavy anti-tank/assault requirements.
The company is committed to the continued success and evolution of the TOW
missile system."
These missiles previously had been limited to a maximum range of 3.75
kilometers due to the length of the guidance wire. However, Raytheon and the
U.S. Army have demonstrated extended range variants of both TOW 2A and TOW 2B,
as well as a wireless TOW variant. The extended range TOW 2B missile, with a
more aerodynamic airframe, is capable of a 4.5-kilometer range. The wireless
TOW, a potential variant of the TOW missile system, is guided to the extended
range using a virtually non-detectable RF link. The extended range and RF
guided TOW variants have recently been tested at the U.S. Army's Redstone
Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.
The U.S. Army also is developing the TOW Bunker Buster. This TOW 2A
modification is designed to destroy bunker and field fortifications and breech
walls, including triple thick brick and reinforced concrete. The TOW Bunker
Buster is fired from the same TOW 2 and Improved Target Acquisition System
(ITAS) fire control systems as are all of the TOW 2 family of missiles. The
TOW Bunker Buster and TOW 2B provide the assault and heavy anti-tank
capabilities for the U.S. Army's Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) variant of
the Stryker combat vehicle family.
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:
Jennifer Allen
Mobile at AUSA 520.275.1653
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Jennifer Allen of Raytheon Company,
+1-520-275-1653
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