Raytheon Company,
TUCSON, Ariz.: The U.S. Navy, in conjunction with Raytheon Company, 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.
Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems, headquartered in Tewksbury, Mass., is the prime contractor for the MK 57 fire control system, MK 73 transmitter and MK 29 launcher.
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85 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.
