TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is
being awarded a $6.7 million modification to an existing contract to continue
development of the SEA RAM Weapon System in cooperation with the U.S. Navy.
"This award will allow us to continue conducting research and development
of SEA RAM and develop improvements directly applicable to the Phalanx system.
The project will continue development of the horizon emphasis radar, upgrade
existing radar systems and improve the system's software," said Troy Oberg,
Raytheon's SEA RAM program manager. "Our plan is to develop improvements to
Phalanx that are directly applicable to SEA RAM development."
SEA RAM is a low-risk, low-cost evolution of the proven Phalanx Block 1B
Close-In Weapon System and the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile
Weapon System, the latter produced jointly by Raytheon and RAMSYS GmbH of
Germany. SEA RAM provides a self-contained system that enhances the RAM
missile system performance with a Phalanx radar and electro-optical sensors.
This system allows RAM to be an effective and affordable upgrade,
integrating with the Phalanx weapon system and avoiding the costly combat
system upgrade. At the same time, it provides the capability to integrate the
sensor information into modern combat systems as Phalanx does today in the
U.S. Navy. Intended to enlarge the keep-out range against sea-skimming, anti-
ship missiles and defend against helicopter, aircraft and surface threats, SEA
RAM utilizes Phalanx sensors with minor modifications made to the launcher
allowing for the installation of an 11-round RAM missile guide.
In 2001 Raytheon provided the SEA RAM Weapon System to the United
Kingdom's Royal Navy for suitability testing. Also in 2001 Raytheon, in
conjunction with the U.S. Navy, successfully launched four blast test vehicles
which measured launch forces and confirmed there were no rocket motor effects
on SEA RAM's forward-looking infrared sensor.
"SEA RAM is able to benefit from the U.S. Navy Phalanx development program
and is being offered by Raytheon as a potential upgrade to various ship
classes as an industry initiative. This approach to spiral development has
generated considerable international interest, all in a relatively short
period of time," said Oberg. "Raytheon is building its first production model
to start qualification testing. There are ongoing discussions with both the
U.S. and allied navies to perform operational testing with the first
production unit. This development, testing and evaluation of SEA RAM will
greatly enhance ship protection and help Raytheon and the United States Navy
further improve the ship self-defense suite of Phalanx, RAM and SEA RAM."
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:
John Eagles
502-364-6768
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
John Eagles of Raytheon Company,
+1-502-364-6768
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