TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Air Force completed two successful
Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) all-up round live fire test flights
that demonstrated the weapon's ability to detect, track and destroy
moving targets.
The flight tests, which took place at the White Sands Missile
Test Range, are the final flight events required prior to Milestone
C and the start of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). Live
warheads replaced telemetry payloads and completed the end-to-end
tactical configuration that will be delivered to the U.S. Air Force
and U.S. Navy.
"These tests showcased the weapon's new multi-effects warhead
that provides SDB II with the capability to destroy targets while
reducing collateral damage," said John
O'Brien, Raytheon SDB II program director. "Working closely
with our U.S. Air Force customer, Raytheon is delivering this
game-changing solution that fills a critical capability gap for
U.S. warfighters."
SDB II will continue to execute Guided Test Vehicle and Live
Fire Flight Tests in the coming months, even as the program enters
LRIP.
About SDB II
SDB II employs Raytheon's unprecedented tri-mode seeker. The new
seeker operates in three modes: millimeter-wave radar, uncooled
imaging infrared and semi-active laser. These three modes enable
the weapon to seek and destroy targets, even in adverse weather
conditions from standoff ranges.
SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical
miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and
armored targets, while keeping collateral damage to a minimum
through a small explosive footprint. The highly accurate SDB II
offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets after release
through a secure datalink that passes in-flight updates to the
weapon.
The Department of Defense has validated SDB II as a weapon that
meets a critical warfighter need and has invested more than
$700 million in the SDB II
program.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and
61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader
specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the
world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 years, Raytheon
provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration
and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and
command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well
as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services.
Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more
about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow
us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
Ashley Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company