Raytheon, Aerojet finish important test

Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 12:00 am

Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems and development partner Aerojet completed a key test of a new warhead for the next-generation Standard Missile-3 missile interceptor.

The ground test of the kinetic, or non-explosive, warhead system for Raytheon’s Standard Missile-3 Block IB verified the ability of the warhead to detect, track and intercept a moving ballistic missile target in a zero-gravity environment, Raytheon said.

The test results keep the program on track for the first SM-3 Block IB intercept in space this year, with initial deliveries in 2012, said Frank Wyatt, vice president of Raytheon’s air and missile defense systems product line.

The next-generation SM-3 Block IB has an advanced, two-color infrared seeker, an advanced signal processor and the new warhead flight-control system. The new missile will be deployed in sea-based and land-based modes.

Bob Hagen (1003 Posts)