Newest SM-6 interceptor aces final land-based test, moves to at-sea testing

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- During its final land-based test, Raytheon's advanced Standard Missile-6 Block IA engaged and destroyed a subsonic target from the USS Desert Ship, a test site in southern New Mexico. The SM-6 Block IA will now enter the at-sea testing phase, bringing it closer to low-rate initial production later this year.

The SM-6 Block IA is an emerging change to SM-6 BLK 1, with improvements to the guidance section. These enhancements allow the missile to seek out and destroy a wide variety of advanced threats with precision.

"The Block IA brings a new level of sophistication to the SM-6 and increases the precision of the missile even more," said Mike Campisi, Raytheon's SM-6 senior program director. "Relying less on a ship combat system means the missile can continue to engage targets further and further away with extreme accuracy."

SM-6 is the only missile in the world that can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and terminal ballistic missile defense.

Final assembly of SM-6 takes place at Raytheon's state-of-the-art production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. Raytheon has delivered approximately 340 SM-6 missiles with continuing production.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I((TM)) products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter.

Media Contacts
Amanda Schildt
+1.571.305.3915
rmspr@raytheon.com

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SOURCE Raytheon Company