EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's
Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), the PAVE PAWS Early Warning Radar (EWR) and
the Ground Based Radar-Prototype (GBR-P) were key components of the second
consecutive successful integrated system test of the Ground-based Midcourse
Defense Segment (GMDS -- formerly National Missile Defense) program conducted
today.
This test, designated IFT-7, was this year's second successful intercept
of a ballistic missile target by the EKV and further demonstrated the
repeatability of the EKV's "hit-to-kill" technology. It was the fourth
integrated flight test to use the PAVE PAWS EWR and GBR-P in operational
modes. The participating PAVE PAWS radar is one of five EWRs that will be
upgraded to improve track accuracy, search capability, and object
classification. The GBR-P, located at Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific
Ocean, is the test bed radar for the X-Band Radar (XBR) currently under
development by Raytheon for the GMDS program. This flight's test's objectives
were essentially the same as those of the successful July 14, 2001, IFT-6
mission with the goal of repeating an intercept.
"Today's success once again validates the design, capabilities and
performance of the technologies and systems Raytheon is developing for the
GMDS program," said William H. Swanson, president of Raytheon Company's
Electronic Systems business. "Raytheon is pleased to be a member of the
Boeing GMDS team and proud of the important role we play in providing for the
security of our nation. Along with our industry partners -- The Boeing
Company, Lockheed Martin, and TRW -- we are committed to providing the
Department of Defense with robust and effective systems to defend our nation
against the threat of ballistic missile attack. This successful test again
has demonstrated that the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Segment works."
The components of the GMDS system are programs at two Electronic Systems
business units. The EKV is currently under development at the Missile Systems
unit in Tucson, Ariz. The company's Air/Missile Defense Systems unit based in
Bedford, Mass., developed the PAVE PAWS and Ballistic Missile Early Warning
System (BMEWS) radar upgrades as well as the GBR-P for the GMDS system test
program and is also developing the XBR with greater capability for the
operational GMDS system.
All Raytheon programs are part of the Boeing Company-led GMDS Prime
Contractor program. As the lead contractor to Boeing for the EKV, Raytheon
currently is under contract to provide 25 vehicles in support of the GMDS
flight test program. Raytheon will deliver four vehicles to Boeing next year
in support of the ongoing flight test program.
IFT-7 was the fifth flight test conducted under Boeing's direction. A
series of flight tests, designed to incrementally test all aspects of the GMDS
architecture, is scheduled to continue throughout the initial contract period
that extends into 2007.
The Ground-based Midcourse Defense Segment program is managed by the Joint
Program Office of the Department of Defense's Ballistic Missile Defense
Organization, a joint service agency headquartered in Washington, D.C.
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a
global technology leader in defense, government and commercial electronics,
and business and special mission aircraft.
Notes to Editors:
(1) The EKV has its own infrared seeker, propulsion, communications,
discrimination algorithms, guidance and control system, and computers
to support target selection and intercept decisions in the end game
of the intercept mission. The EKV is the intercept component of the
Ground Based Interceptor, the weapon element of the planned GMDS
system. Raytheon is transitioning payload assembly from its
engineering laboratory to its world-class EKV manufacturing facility
and is on schedule to deliver its first production payload in January
2002.
(2) The GBR-P is the prototype Fire Control Radar for the GMDS mission.
It provides real-time operation of data via integrated tests with the
EKV and BMC3 regarding precision target discrimination, target object
mapping, kill assessment, and simultaneous electro-mechanical scan.
The system design leverages Raytheon's Theater Missile Defense radar
technology developed for the Theater High Altitude Area Defense
Program Definition and Risk Reduction program. GBR-P is being used
in GMDS system testing to evaluate radar hardware, software and
performance capability and is a critical stepping stone toward cost
effective and timely GMDS development and potential deployment.
(3) The PAVE PAWS and BMEWS early warning radars will be upgraded with new
and modified radar hardware and software to implement improved
algorithms. The algorithms will enhance the detection, tracking
accuracy and object classification capabilities of these radars while
concurrently performing the EWR Integrated Threat Warning and Attack
Assessment of intercontinental ballistic missiles and sea launched
ballistic missiles and space surveillance missions. The proposed
Upgraded Early Warning Radars include the Thule, Fylingdales and
Clear BMEWS and the Cape Cod and Beale PAVE PAWS.
Contacts:
For EKV
Colleen Niccum, (520) 794-8565
For GBR-P, PAVE PAWS
Steve Brecken, (781) 999-2222
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Colleen Niccum for EKV, +1-520-794-8565; or
Steve Brecken for GBR-P, PAVE PAWS, +1-781-999-2222
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