LONDON, July 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) used a Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-6 to destroy a supersonic high altitude target drone (AQM-37). The test moves the program one step closer to full operational capability.

Deployed for the first time in December 2013, SM-6 provides the U.S. Navy extended range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.

"SM-6 is the longest range integrated air and missile defense interceptor deployed today," said Mike Campisi, Standard Missile-6 senior program director. "Its ability to use sensors to support engagement of threats beyond the ship radar's horizon also makes it the most advanced extended range area defense weapon in existence."

Raytheon has delivered more than 100 SM-6 interceptors to the U.S. Navy. The missile's final assembly takes place at Raytheon's state-of-the-art SM-6 and SM-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.

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.

• The SM-6 uses both active and semiactive guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.
• It incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities from Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 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 Contacts
John B. Patterson
+1.520.440.2194
USA
Heather Uberuaga
+1.520.891.8421

rmspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company