TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- A U.S. Navy Tomahawk Block
IV cruise missile built by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was successfully
launched Dec. 6 from USS Milius (DDG-69), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer,
on the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Sea Test Range off the
coast of Southern California.
After launch from the vertical launch system, the Tomahawk, equipped
with an inert warhead, completed the launch sequence and transitioned to
cruise flight. It flew a fully guided 869-mile course using global
positioning satellite and digital scene matching area correlator navigation
to a target site on the Naval Air Systems Command land range at China Lake,
Calif.
The test was the first Tomahawk Block IV launch from USS Milius.
"Tomahawk Block IV provides our warfighters with the capabilities
needed to successfully fight in the 21st century battle space," said Capt.
Rick McQueen, the Navy's Tomahawk all-up-round program manager. "The
successful test event shows that the Baseline IV Tomahawk Weapon System
will maintain the legacy of weapon effectiveness that Tomahawk has
demonstrated in every major conflict from Desert Storm through Operation
Iraqi Freedom."
"This successful test of a surface launched variant of Block IV
Tomahawk adds another arrow to the quiver of our warfighters," said Harry
Schulte, vice president, Raytheon Missile Systems Strike product line.
"This success is a credit to the dedication and outstanding cooperation of
the U.S. Navy/Raytheon Tomahawk team."
A surface- and submarine-launched precision strike stand-off weapon,
Tomahawk is the nation's weapon of choice for critical, long-range
precision strike missions against high value, heavily defended targets.
Block IV Tomahawk, which achieved fleet introduction in May 2004,
incorporates innovative technologies to provide new operational
capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition, operations and
support costs. The new capabilities that Block IV Tomahawk brings to the
Navy's sea strike capability are derived from the missile's two-way
satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing
battlefield conditions.
The strike controller can "flex" the missile in flight to preprogrammed
alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting
flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield awaiting
a more critical target.
The missile can also transmit battle damage indication imagery and
missile health and status messages via the satellite data link. Firing
platforms, for the first time, will have the capability to plan and execute
GPS-only missions. Block IV also has an improved anti-jam GPS receiver for
enhanced mission performance.
Raytheon Company, with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry
leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people
worldwide.
Contact:
Alan D. Fischer
520.794.1211
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Alan D. Fischer of Raytheon Company,
+1-520-794-1211
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