Raytheon Company delivered the first Standard Missile-6 all-up-round to the U.S. Navy from its new integration and testing facility in Huntsville, Ala. SM-6 defends naval vessels against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.
“SM-6 is a game-changing, transformational fleet defense missile, and we’re on track to reach initial operating capability this year,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. “Our state-of-the-art production facility in Huntsville will play a significant role in delivering this asset to the U.S. Navy on time and on budget for years to come.”
Raytheon opened the doors of its new $75 million, 70,000 square-foot, all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in November 2012. The facility features advanced tools and the latest processes for missile production, enabling Raytheon to streamline processes, reduce costs and add increased value for the warfighter.
“The SM-6’s capabilities signal a new era in fleet defense for our U.S. Navy warfighters,” said Wes Kremer, vice president of Air and Missile Defense Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. “The Huntsville team is fully committed to delivering this missile to our country’s sailors with the kind of mission assurance they’ve come to rely on.”
During a September 2012 test, SM-6 destroyed a cruise missile target using a remote cue from Raytheon’s JLENS. The test was a significant step toward further extending a ship’s defended footprint.
About the Standard Missile-6 SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon air defense capability by leveraging the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile’s airframe and propulsion.
Raytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 91 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. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 1, 2013; Image: Raytheon