Raytheon-Boeing Team Successfully Completes Second Government-Funded JAGM Test

Published on Wednesday, 01 September 2010 09:21 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., Sept. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) completed the second of three government-sponsored firings of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile. The JAGM used its imaging infrared (IIR) guidance system to hit an armored vehicle target at 4 kilometers (2.5 statute miles).

The Raytheon-Boeing JAGM features a fully integrated tri-mode seeker that incorporates semiactive laser, uncooled imaging infrared and millimeter wave guidance. The weapon leverages proven components from other Raytheon and Boeing programs, such as the Raytheon GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II and the Boeing Brimstone.

"This test demonstrates the reliability of our mature and proven uncooled IIR sensor," said Bob Francois, Raytheon vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems. "Our uncooled IIR technology helps reduce the JAGM's complexity and dramatically reduces its total ownership cost by eliminating costly coolants and components. Warfighters will benefit from enhanced operational capabilities and elimination of post-mission maintenance on cooling systems."

This test marks the fourth time the Raytheon-Boeing team test-fired the weapon; the team conducted two successful company-funded tests of JAGM in April and a government-funded test June 28. During the most recent test, all three guidance systems operated simultaneously and provided telemetry data that enabled engineers to conduct further analysis of the weapon.

"Because Boeing builds two of JAGM's threshold platforms, and because our two companies are the world leaders in weapons integration, the Raytheon-Boeing team's weapon will provide a best-value solution to the warfighter," said Carl Avila, director of Boeing Advanced Weapons and Missile Systems.

JAGM, designed to replace three legacy systems, offers the warfighter improved lethality, range, operational flexibility, supportability and cost savings compared with older weapons like the Hellfire missile.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 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 88 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 75,000 people worldwide.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

SOURCE Raytheon Company