VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Jan.
28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE:
RTN) Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) successfully completed
a data-gathering mission during a Missile Defense Agency flight
test. The mission's objective was to observe in-flight performance
of redesigned components and gain valuable information on evolving
threat classes.
EKVs are designed to destroy incoming ballistic threats while
they are still in space. As part of the MDA test of the
Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, a ballistic missile target
was launched and purposely not intercepted to demonstrate for
maximum maneuvering and data collection.
The successful mission proved the effectiveness of a recent
redesign of the EKV thrusters, which provides the control necessary
for lethal impact with incoming threats while safely outside of the
Earth's atmosphere. The testing was supported by Raytheon's
sea-based X-band radar (SBX) and AN/TPY-2 radar – both
play critical roles in supporting the Ground-based Midcourse
Defense system.
"This was a remarkable data-collection opportunity," said Dr.
Taylor W. Lawrence, president of
Raytheon Missile Systems. "These are among our industry's most
complex systems. Testing is critically important to ensuring the
advancement of reliable kill vehicles for the protection of the
U.S. homeland."
Raytheon is simultaneously managing four kill vehicle programs –
the EKV, Standard Missile-3 kinetic vehicle, Redesigned Kill
Vehicle, and Multi-Object Kill Vehicle. The Raytheon kill vehicle
family has a combined record of more than 30 successful space
intercepts.
About the EKV
Backed by decades of kill vehicle
technology expertise, the Raytheon-made EKV is designed to destroy
incoming ballistic missile threats by directly colliding with them,
a concept often described as "hit to kill."
- The EKV has an advanced, multi-color sensor used to detect and
discriminate incoming warheads from other objects.
- The EKV has its own propulsion, communications link,
discrimination algorithms, guidance and control system and
computers to support target selection and intercept.
- The EKV is deployed and operational today.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23
billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and
innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government
and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning
94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission
systems integration, capabilities in C5I (command, control,
communications, computing, cyber and intelligence), sensing,
effects and mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in
Waltham, Mass. Visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us
on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
Amanda
Schildt
+1.571.305.3915
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company