TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a
historic Missile Defense Agency demonstration and for the first
time ever, an intercontinental ballistic missile target was
intercepted and destroyed outside Earth's atmosphere by an advanced
SM-3® Block IIA ballistic missile defense interceptor made by
Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX)
business. The interceptor was co-developed with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
"This first-of-its-kind test shows that our nation has a viable
option for a new layer of defense against long-range threats," said
Bryan Rosselli, vice president of
Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
The SM-3 family of ballistic missile defense interceptors has
executed more exo-atmospheric intercepts than all other missiles
combined and is the only weapon of its kind employed from both
ships and land.
Raytheon Intelligence & Space sensors were also part of the
historic test from low-earth orbit. The sensors detected and
tracked the target and relayed the data to decision makers in a
demonstration of space-based early warning.
Raytheon Technologies' missile defense portfolio combines
sensors, effectors, C2 and integration work to deliver the most
advanced missile defense capabilities available to the U.S. and its
allies today.
About Raytheon Technologies
Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense
company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial,
military and government customers worldwide. It comprises four
industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt
& Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon
Missiles & Defense. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to
operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver
solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics,
electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and
cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination
of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation
aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Media Contact
Jaclyn Gutmann
C: 781. 879.2789
rmdpr@rtx.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Technologies