The U.S.
Navy fired two Raytheon Company Standard Missile-6 interceptors from
the USS Chancellorsville, successfully engaging two cruise missile targets
(BQM-74 drones) in the missile's first over-the-horizon test scenario
at sea. The SM-6 will provide U.S. Navy sailors and their vessels extended
range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial
vehicles and cruise missiles as part of the Naval Integrated Fire Control
- Counter Air (NIFC-CA) mission area. |
"The
SM-6's ability to engage threats at significantly greater ranges than
other missiles in its class is a game changer for the U.S. Navy,"
said Jim Normoyle, Raytheon Missile Systems' SM-6 program director.
"We verified the weapon's new processor earlier this month, and
we're preparing for the USS Chancellorsville's Combat Systems Ship Qualification
Trials in November."
In February, Raytheon delivered the first SM-6 from its new $75 million,
70,000 square-foot SM-6 and Standard Missile-3 all-up-round production
facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. In May, a Defense Acquisition
Board approved full-rate production of the SM-6 missile.
"SM-6 combines the best of our SM-2, SM-3 and AMRAAM missiles,
providing an enhanced anti-air warfare and over-the-horizon capability
at a reduced cost," said Mike Campisi, Raytheon Missile Systems'
senior director of Standard Missile-1, -2, and -6 programs. "We
have delivered more than 50 missiles ahead of schedule and under cost,
and we remain on track to reach initial operating capability in 2013." |
