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Latest AMRAAM variant achieves key program milestones
AIM-120D completes operational testing and achieves initial operating capability
TUCSON, Ariz., April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) recently completed two milestones for the newest Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM®), the AIM-120D. The U.S. Air Force successfully completed testing and fielded the AIM-120D. The U.S. Navy achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on the weapon.
"AMRAAM is the most capable air-to-air weapon ever produced," said Ron Krebs, AMRAAM program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "The AIM-120D represents a significant improvement in air-to-air weapons capabilities and the technologies it brings to the battlefield give U.S. warfighters an unmatched advantage in the air-to-air arena."
With the Air Force, the new AMRAAM was subjected to several scenarios designed to represent realistic combat conditions. AIM-120D demonstrated outstanding capability against challenging targets, and it performed superbly in all regimes of flight. Airborne testing verified that AIM-120D is ready for overseas deployment.
IOC follows extensive flight testing, where the Navy integrated and tested Raytheon's AMRAAM AIM-120D missile on the F/A-18 Hornet and the Super Hornet aircraft. The Navy plans to deploy with the D later this year.
The AIM-120D is the newest air-to-air weapon in the U.S. arsenal and has significant capability improvements, including increased range, GPS-aided navigation, two-way data link and improved weapons effectiveness.
About AMRAAM
AMRAAM is a combat-proven missile that demonstrates operational flexibility in both air-to-air and surface-launch scenarios and provides today's warfighter with enhanced operational capability, cost effectiveness and future growth options/solutions. Procured by 36 countries, the combat-proven AMRAAM has been integrated on the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier, F-4 and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. It is also the baseline missile for the NATO-approved National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 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 cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
Ashley Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company