DTN News: Raytheon's SLAMRAAM Demonstrates Ability To Intercept UAS
(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - June 3, 2009: Raytheon Company's Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile successfully intercepted a maneuvering unmanned aircraft system (UAS) during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
By the 1990s, the reliability of the Sparrow had improved so much from the dismal days of Vietnam that it accounted for the largest number of aerial targets destroyed in Desert Storm. But while the USAF had passed on the Phoenix and their own similar AIM-47/YF-12 to optimize dogfight performance, they still desired the Navy's multiple launch fire and forget capability for the F-15 and F-16. AMRAAM would need to be fitted on fighters as small as the F-16, and fit in the same spaces that were designed to fit the Sparrow since the Phantom. The European partners needed AMRAAM to be integrated on aircraft as small as the Sea Harrier. The US Navy needed AMRAAM to be carried on the F/A-18 Hornet and wanted capability for two to be carried on a launcher that normally carried one Sparrow to allow for more air-to-ground weapons.
AMRAAM would eventually be the primary weapon for the F-22 Raptor which needed to fit all its missiles in internal weapons bays like the old F-106 Delta Darts in order to maintain a stealthy radar cross-section. The US Navy ultimately decided to retire its F-14 Tomcats and pass the Fleet Air Defense mission to the F/A-18C and F/A-18E/F Hornets, which needed even more advanced versions of AMRAAM to replace the Phoenix capability.
"This test highlighted the flexibility and adaptability networked sensors and shooters bring to the warfighter to respond to today's evolving threats," said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National & Theater Security Programs. "Together with the U.S. Army, we've built upon the proven capabilities of earlier variants of the ground launched AMRAAM currently fielded to our allies and deployed in our nation's capital. This brings us one step closer to the air and missile defense vision of an architecture linking any sensor to any shooter."
SLAMRAAM, operated by Raytheon employees and U.S. Army soldiers, detected and tracked a maneuvering UAS target using a geographically dispersed network of three advanced Sentinel radars employing composite tracking to cue the weapon system. Operators fired an AIM-120C7 missile against the maneuvering UAS target at the system's maximum range. The engagement was executed from the centralized Integrated Fire Control System commanding a launch from a SLAMRAAM Humvee-based fire unit. Preliminary test data results indicate that the SLAMRAAM system successfully met all test objectives.
Operational testing of the system continues in support of SLAMRAAM low rate initial production planned for late 2009.
SLAMRAAM is a tailorable, state-of-the-art air defense system that can defeat current and emerging cruise missile threats and a wide range of air breathing threats. This affordable adaptation of the AMRAAM to meet emerging needs provides the warfighter with a system of highly mobile battlefield elements networked and geographically distributed to provide integrated fire control capability against airborne threats.
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Source: DTN News / Raytheon
(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - March 3, 2010: Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (SLAMRAAM) program has received approval from the U.S. Army for long-lead purchases, not to exceed $18 million, leading to low rate initial production. 
This approval is significant as it underscores the Army's confidence in the system and the capability it brings to the warfighter. This funding will accelerate the manufacturing schedule for key command and control components subsequent to the U.S. Army Milestone C decision planned for next year.
"SLAMRAAM represents an important step forward in the defense of our troops on the battlefield as well as our nation and allies," said Karen Kalil-Brown, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National & Theater Security Programs. "SLAMRAAM will field the first command and control air defense system supporting the Army's vision of 'system of systems.'"
SLAMRAAM is a tailorable, state-of-the-art air defense system that can defeat current and emerging cruise missile threats, unmanned aerial systems and a wide range of air breathing threats. It provides the warfighter with a system of highly mobile battlefield elements networked and geographically distributed to provide integrated fire control capability against airborne threats.
Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.
