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Tucson, AZ (SPX) May 31, 2007 The U.S. Navy, in conjunction with Raytheon, successfully completed an at-sea firing of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile using the MK 57 MOD 12 fire control system. The event marked the first Evolved SeaSparrow Missile firing from the Navy's new Self Defense Test Ship, formerly USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964), and was the first test of Evolved SeaSparrow Missile's improved surface-to-surface capability against surface threats. The test also marked the first Evolved SeaSparrow Missile firing from the MK 29 MOD 4, eight-cell trainable launcher that is being installed on U. S. Navy aircraft carriers and select L-Class ships. The test also served as the first at-sea demonstration of the MK 57 MOD 12/13 and its MK 73 MOD 3 solid-state transmitter to support Evolved SeaSparrow Missile surface mode engagements while operating in autonomous mode. Although Evolved SeaSparrow Missile was designed primarily to engage high-speed, maneuvering air threats, this event demonstrated the missile's ability to engage surface threats. This test event employed a high-speed maneuverable surface target -- a small, rigid-hull inflatable boat that represented the threat scenario. The surface-to-surface improvements to Evolved SeaSparrow Missile's capability were implemented completely through changes to the missile's software. This software improvement was co-developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif., and Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. "With this software-based upgrade, Evolved SeaSparrow Missile can now more effectively counter the threat posed by fast surface craft before their weapons get in range," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. Additional surface-to-surface firings are scheduled later this year from the Navy's Self Defense Test Ship and from a Dutch frigate. Raytheon Missile Systems is the prime contractor for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile, leading a team of 18 international companies from 10 NATO consortium countries. Evolved SeaSparrow Missile currently is deployed in seven navies around the world. Email This Article
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London UK (SPX) May 28, 2007Yet another important milestone was reached today when Gripen successfully conducted the first Meteor firing in the UK and continued the testing of the six-nation Meteor air dominance missile. "Gripen is the first and so far only fighter aircraft that has launched Meteor. With today's firing Gripen once again proves to be a reliable platform for the integration and testing of complex future missile systems for the world's new generation combat aircraft", says Lennart Sindahl, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Saab Aerosystems. |
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