TUCSON, Ariz., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of the SM-3 Block IIA's throttleable divert and attitude control system. Essentially a rocket motor with four main divert nozzles and six attitude control nozzles, the TDACS's precision propulsion will enable the SM-3 Block IIA to intercept incoming ballistic missiles with pinpoint accuracy.  

"The TDACS is the most complex component of the SM-3 Block IIA," said Wes Kremer, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air and Missile Defense Systems product line. "The design detail and test data presented at the PDR demonstrated the TDACS is ready for the next phase of development."

The SM-3 Block IIA is a co-development effort between the U.S. and Japan and the cornerstone of phase three of the administration's Phased Adaptive Approach. The missile's larger rocket motors and advanced kinetic warhead will allow for a greater defended area, protecting both the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missiles. The program is on track for a 2018 delivery.

All variants of SM-3 (Blocks IA, IB and IIA) are being developed by Raytheon as part of the Missile Defense Agency's sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. Current variants are deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. Raytheon has delivered more than 130 SM-3s to U.S. and Japanese navies ahead of schedule and under cost.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2011 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 90 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 71,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

Note to Editors

In November 2011, Raytheon Company selected Aerojet for the development of a new, more advanced Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System for the SM-3 Block IIA. Aerojet was selected after a challenging series of engineering tests demonstrated the feasibility of the system's design.

Media Contact
Heather Uberuaga
520.891.8421
rmspr@raytheon.com

 

SOURCE Raytheon Company