TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 4, 2008 MA-Raytheon-Patriot
TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company
(NYSE: RTN), system integrator of the Patriot Air Defense System, successfully
led a team in the launch of the Patriot's newest interceptor, the Missile
Segment Enhancement (MSE) version of the PAC-3 missile, during a recent test
at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
The firing was conducted using a Patriot Configuration-3 fire unit with
engineering upgrades to the Post Deployment Build-6 system software. This
mission was the second in a series of live-fire exercises conducted to
evaluate the new interceptor's capability within the Patriot system.
"This test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 flexibility to
integrate new and evolving interceptors and expand the Patriot battlespace
with minimal software and hardware changes to the ground system," said Sanjay
Kapoor, vice president of Patriot Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense
Systems (IDS). "In support of the warfighter, Patriot continues to add
capability to counter emerging threats, while providing increased system
reliability and lowered life-cycle cost."
Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor of the Patriot system and the system
integrator for the PAC-3 MSE interceptor. Patriot is the nation's only
deployed land-based, short- to medium- range ballistic missile defense
capability and is the Army's mainstay theater air and missile defense system.
Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system designed to defeat
advanced threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, jet and rotary wing
aircraft and cruise missiles. Combat proven during Operations Desert Storm and
Iraqi Freedom, Patriot can simultaneously engage multiple targets under the
most severe electronic countermeasure conditions.
The Patriot PAC-3 MSE program is managed by the U.S. Army Program
Executive Office for Missiles and Space and executed by the Lower Tier Air and
Missile Defense Project Office in Huntsville, Ala. Lockheed Martin Missiles
and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is the prime contractor responsible for the
PAC-3 MSE interceptor.
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace
Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad
international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense
Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.
Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader
specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets
throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86 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 a broad range of mission
support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000
people worldwide.
Contact:
Guy Shields
978.858.5246
SOURCE Raytheon Company
