TUCSON, Ariz., June 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed extensive lab testing on a new
extended range variant of the combat-proven AMRAAM®. The
tests validate that AMRAAM-ER can be integrated and employed from
the NASAMS launcher. Designed specifically for ground-based air
defense, AMRAAM-ER will be combined with AN/MPQ-64 F1Sentinel radar
and the NASAMS launcher to provide increased air defense protection
in the medium range air defense market.
"AMRAAM-ER significantly expands the capability of our proven
ground-based air defense system. The new surface-launched missile
will be even faster and more maneuverable than the current AMRAAM,"
said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon vice
president of Air Warfare Systems. "By leveraging components from
existing weapons programs, Raytheon is on a fast track to deliver
AMRAAM-ER affordably and with very low risk."
Raytheon is integrating the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile rocket
motor into AMRAAM-ER, enabling the new missile to intercept targets
at longer ranges and higher altitudes. Completion of lab testing
allows Raytheon to move forward with launcher and system
integration scheduled to begin mid-2015 followed by a live firing
demonstration. Raytheon is on schedule to flight test AMRAAM-ER
before the end of the year.
NASAMS is the latest and most modern Medium Range Air Defense
system. In partnership with KONGSBERG, Raytheon has delivered more
than 70 fire units to seven countries. It is the most commonly used
Short and Medium Range Air Defense System in NATO.
Fielded in Norway for more than
a decade, NASAMS is operationally deployed in the U.S. National
Capital Region, Spain,
Finland, the Netherlands, and an undisclosed country.
It is also in production for Oman
under a contract received last year.
About AMRAAM®
AMRAAM® is a combat-proven missile that demonstrates
operational flexibility in both air-to-air and surface-launch
scenarios and provides today's military forces with enhanced
operational capability, cost effectiveness and future growth
options/solutions. Procured by 36 countries, the combat-proven
AMRAAM® has been integrated on the F-15, F-16, F/A-18,
F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier, F-4 and the Joint Strike
Fighter aircraft. It is also the baseline missile for the
NATO-approved National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.
About NASAMS
NASAMS is a highly adaptable medium range solution for any
operational air defense requirement. The system provides the air
defender with a tailorable, state-of-the-art defense system that
can maximize their ability to quickly identify, engage and destroy
current and evolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle or
emerging cruise missile threats.
About Sentinel
The Sentinel radar is the premier air surveillance and target
acquisition/tracking sensor for the U.S. Army Cruise Missile
Defense Systems program. It is a highly mobile, three-dimensional,
phased-array, ground-based air defense radar system that operates
in the X-band. It automatically detects, tracks, identifies,
classifies and reports airborne threats, including helicopters,
high-speed attack aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial
vehicles.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23
billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and
innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government
and cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity and a broad
range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in
Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit www.raytheon.com
and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.
Media Contact
Ashley Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-completes-lab-testing-on-amraam-er-nasams-integration-300097014.html
SOURCE Raytheon Company