[extropy-chat] Aegis 3rd generation missile: BMD system

[Mike Lorrey]

What is really awesome is we can forward deploy these puppies on
cruisers and destroyers. Japan is buying some, so I can see them maybe
joining into NORAD at some point.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050224/neth026_1.html

Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Intercepts Target in Aegis Ballistic
Missile Defense System Test
Thursday February 24, 6:07 pm ET 


PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, Hawaii, Feb. 24, 2005
/PRNewswire/ -- The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Weapon System
and Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) destroyed a ballistic missile outside the
earth's atmosphere during an Aegis BMD Program flight test over the
Pacific Ocean. Raytheon Company develops the SM-3. Lockheed Martin
develops the Aegis BMD Weapon System.
The Feb. 24 mission -- the fifth successful intercept for SM-3 -- was
the first firing of the Aegis BMD "Emergency Deployment" capability
using operational versions of the SM-3 Block I missile and Aegis BMD
Weapon System. This was also the first test to exercise SM-3's third
stage rocket motor (TSRM) single-pulse mode. The TSRM has two pulses,
which can be ignited independently, providing expansion of the
ballistic missile engagement battlespace.

The SM-3 was launched from the Aegis BMD cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70)
and hit a target missile that had been launched from the U.S. Navy's
Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii.

"This successful flight test demonstrates the tactical, operational
capability of SM-3 and the Aegis BMD Weapon System in real-world
conditions," said Edward Miyashiro, Raytheon Missile Systems vice
president, Naval Weapon Systems. "Successes like we've seen today
provide decision makers the confidence to proceed with deploying in
quantity, providing the Nation with a robust capability that will
defend the U.S., deployed American forces, our friends and our allies.
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense is for real."

Japan has made decision to procure Aegis BMD with SM-3 for its Kongo
class ships.

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, which are providing major
subsystems. Lockheed Martin developed the Aegis BMD Weapon System.
Raytheon delivered five SM-3 operational rounds to the Missile Defense
Agency in 2004. The program is transitioning to production, with
Kinetic Warhead seeker and final integration occurring in Raytheon's
state-of-the-art Kill Vehicle manufacturing facility, alongside the
Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle. Final assembly and test will occur in
Camden, Ark.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN - News), with 2004 sales of $20.2 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.

Note to Editors:

Raytheon's hit-to-kill successes with the sea-based STANDARD Missile-3
occurred on Jan. 25, June 13 and Nov. 21, 2002, and Dec. 11, 2003; and
with the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, part of the Ground-based Missile
Defense program on Oct. 2, 1999; July 13 and Dec. 3, 2001; and March 15
and Oct. 14, 2002. 



=====
Mike Lorrey
Vice-Chair, 2nd District, Libertarian Party of NH
"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
                                      -William Pitt (1759-1806) 
Blog: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sadomikeyism


		
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