seruriermarshal
03-08-2006, 10:48 PM
Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Demonstrates New Japan Clamshell Nosecone Design
TUCSON, Ariz., March 8, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company Standard
Missile-3 (SM-3) successfully demonstrated proper separation of an advanced
clamshell nosecone during a flight test mission off Hawaii today. The test was
a major milestone for the United States-Japan Joint Cooperative Research (JCR)
program, sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
The clamshell nosecone is the result of joint cooperative research by the
MDA, Japan Defense Agency (JDA) and U.S. and Japanese industry. Raytheon
integrated the nosecone on the SM-3.
The flight test mission was conducted from the Pacific Missile Range
Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, and did not include a target or a target
interception. The USS Lake Erie launched the SM-3, which carried an
instrumentation/telemetry package (ITP) instead of a kinetic warhead. The ITP
measured temperature and shock during the test, and its cameras observed the
nosecone's separation.
Missile operation progressed as in previous missions -- after first and
second stage burnout and separation, the third stage rocket motor ignited.
After the burnout of the first pulse of the third stage rocket motor, the
clamshell nosecone separated.
The JCR program began in 1999 with the signing of a memorandum of
understanding between the two nations. The U.S. and Japan identified four
critical components for further research and risk reduction testing. In
addition to the nosecone, the U.S. and Japan researched and tested several
prototypes of a 21-inch second stage rocket motor. The two nations performed
requirements analysis that led to a concept for a "full caliber" 21-inch
diameter SM-3. This is the largest diameter missile that fits within the MK 41
Vertical Launching System on all U.S. and Japan Aegis warships today. In the
U.S., Raytheon designed and tested an advanced throttleable divert and
attitude control system. Both nations have built and tested advanced
multi-color infrared seekers.
"The U.S.-Japan Joint Cooperative Research program is an excellent example
of international missile defense cooperation and paves the way for continued
cooperative development with Japan," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon vice
president of Naval Weapon Systems. "Our relationship with Japan on this
program has benefited both nations and provides effectively a two-for-one
return on investment. It is a model for future international cooperation with
other nations. There are a number of navies all over the world with Standard
Missile and vertical launching systems that could employ SM-3, paving the way
for a truly global ballistic missile defense capability."
Japan has decided to procure the SM-3 and the Aegis BMD (Ballistic Missile
Defense) Weapon System for several of its Kongo class destroyers.
Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is developing SM-3
and leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant Techsystems,
Aerojet and The Boeing Company.
Raytheon continues to deliver missiles to the Missile Defense Agency and
the Navy under contract to increase the nation's inventory of operational
rounds. The kinetic warhead and third stage final integration occur in
Raytheon's state-of-the-art kill vehicle manufacturing facility in Tucson,
alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, an element of the Ground-based
Missile Defense program. Final assembly and testing of SM-3 occurs at
Raytheon's Camden, Ark., facility.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.
TUCSON, Ariz., March 8, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company Standard
Missile-3 (SM-3) successfully demonstrated proper separation of an advanced
clamshell nosecone during a flight test mission off Hawaii today. The test was
a major milestone for the United States-Japan Joint Cooperative Research (JCR)
program, sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
The clamshell nosecone is the result of joint cooperative research by the
MDA, Japan Defense Agency (JDA) and U.S. and Japanese industry. Raytheon
integrated the nosecone on the SM-3.
The flight test mission was conducted from the Pacific Missile Range
Facility on Kauai, Hawaii, and did not include a target or a target
interception. The USS Lake Erie launched the SM-3, which carried an
instrumentation/telemetry package (ITP) instead of a kinetic warhead. The ITP
measured temperature and shock during the test, and its cameras observed the
nosecone's separation.
Missile operation progressed as in previous missions -- after first and
second stage burnout and separation, the third stage rocket motor ignited.
After the burnout of the first pulse of the third stage rocket motor, the
clamshell nosecone separated.
The JCR program began in 1999 with the signing of a memorandum of
understanding between the two nations. The U.S. and Japan identified four
critical components for further research and risk reduction testing. In
addition to the nosecone, the U.S. and Japan researched and tested several
prototypes of a 21-inch second stage rocket motor. The two nations performed
requirements analysis that led to a concept for a "full caliber" 21-inch
diameter SM-3. This is the largest diameter missile that fits within the MK 41
Vertical Launching System on all U.S. and Japan Aegis warships today. In the
U.S., Raytheon designed and tested an advanced throttleable divert and
attitude control system. Both nations have built and tested advanced
multi-color infrared seekers.
"The U.S.-Japan Joint Cooperative Research program is an excellent example
of international missile defense cooperation and paves the way for continued
cooperative development with Japan," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon vice
president of Naval Weapon Systems. "Our relationship with Japan on this
program has benefited both nations and provides effectively a two-for-one
return on investment. It is a model for future international cooperation with
other nations. There are a number of navies all over the world with Standard
Missile and vertical launching systems that could employ SM-3, paving the way
for a truly global ballistic missile defense capability."
Japan has decided to procure the SM-3 and the Aegis BMD (Ballistic Missile
Defense) Weapon System for several of its Kongo class destroyers.
Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is developing SM-3
and leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant Techsystems,
Aerojet and The Boeing Company.
Raytheon continues to deliver missiles to the Missile Defense Agency and
the Navy under contract to increase the nation's inventory of operational
rounds. The kinetic warhead and third stage final integration occur in
Raytheon's state-of-the-art kill vehicle manufacturing facility in Tucson,
alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, an element of the Ground-based
Missile Defense program. Final assembly and testing of SM-3 occurs at
Raytheon's Camden, Ark., facility.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.