WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE,
N.M., July 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- It was a bad day for enemy cruise missiles and
aircraft.
In a series of tests, the newly upgraded Raytheon [NYSE: RTN]
Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense system proved it can
destroy cruise missiles and aircraft with different kinds of
interceptors.
The combat-proven Patriot system, upgraded with a suite of
enhancements collectively known as Post-Deployment Build 8,
successfully detected, tracked and engaged a cruise missile
surrogate target in a July 8
test. It then destroyed the target with a GEM-T
interceptor. A few minutes later, the PDB-8 Patriot repeated
the process with a tactical fighter aircraft target, and destroyed
the plane using a PAC-3 MSE interceptor.
"Using an interceptor mix to destroy different threats is
cost-effective and provides commanders with operational
flexibility," said Ralph Acaba,
Raytheon vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense.
"This latest success keeps the Patriot's PDB-8 upgrade on track for
fielding in 2018."
During the test, which took place in a very challenging radar
environment, the threats were manually engaged by soldiers using
the shoot-look-shoot method of fire. This meant that after the
first interceptor was fired, Patriot soldiers "watched" to see if
the cruise missile or aircraft was destroyed. If it wasn't,
then a second interceptor would be fired. In both cases the
target was destroyed by the first interceptor.
The PDB-8 upgrade, which was funded by the 13-nation Patriot
partnership, allows Patriot to take advantage of many of the PAC-3
MSE's advanced capabilities. PDB-8 also builds on the lessons
learned from combat engagements by five nations, 1,400 flight tests
and 3,000-plus ground tests.
The PAC-3 MSE destroys threats via the force of the collision.
The lower-cost, combat-proven GEM-T interceptor flies close to
threats and explodes, destroying the missile or aircraft in the
process.
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 11th Air Defense
Artillery Brigade's 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery
Regiment, based in Ft. Bliss, Texas, conducted the engagement. This is the
final of four developmental tests for PDB-8, proving that this
build is ready for operational testing by the U.S. Army Test and
Evaluation Command.
About Global Patriot Solutions
Raytheon's Global Patriot Solutions is the most advanced
portfolio of air and missile defense technologies in the world,
providing comprehensive protection against a full range of advanced
threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise
missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Patriot is continually
upgraded and enhanced to leverage the latest technology. Thirteen
nations depend on Patriot as the foundation for their defense.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23
billion and 61,000 employees, 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,
C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and
mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon
is headquartered in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
Mike
Nachshen
+1.520.269.5697
idspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon