BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)
successfully test fired two AIM-120 Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles today as part of its HUMRAAM risk reduction program.
Elements of the risk reduction program will provide data and design support
necessary to reduce technical risks in the U.S. Marine Corps Complementary Low
Altitude Weapon Systems program.
In the first of two Ballistic Test Vehicle (BTV) firings, the Surface
Launched AMRAAM was fired at a 90-degree angle off a HUMRAAM launcher. The
launcher angle was selected to collect vehicle response data in a worst case-
firing scenario that stresses vehicle lateral stability. Preliminary reports
indicate all objectives were met, including the collection of missile plume
characteristics and quick look data for the second firing.
The second BTV firing was conducted with the launcher rotated to 149-
degrees, which assumed the worst case firing scenario for the vehicle cab and
hardware. In this test measurements were collected to support a safety
engineering assessment of operator survivability for in cab launch.
"This vehicle, built and tested with internal research and development
(IR&D) funding, gives us the opportunity to validate our design," said Al
Riley, director, Medium Range and Short Range programs at the company's
Air/Missile Defense Systems business unit. "It will allow us to provide our
Marine Corps customer with an operational capability in a faster cycle."
Raytheon has designed and manufactured the Proof of Concept launcher to
accelerate testing and mitigate program risk. It was provided to its Marine
Corps customer seven months from contract award. Work performed under the
IR&D program will be done at Raytheon facilities in Bedford and Tewksbury,
Mass., and Pelham, N.H.
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:
HUMRAAM is Department of Defense term for AMRAAMs mounted and launched
from a High Mobility Multi-purpose Vehicle.
The tests took place at the Eglin AFB, Fla., test range.
Contact:
Steve Brecken
781-999-2222
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Steve Brecken of Raytheon Company,
+1-781-999-2222
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