MCKINNEY, Texas,
June 26, 2017
/PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the
U.S. Army Apache Program Management Office, in collaboration with
U.S. Special Operations Command, recently completed a successful
flight test of a high energy laser system onboard an Apache AH-64
at White Sands Missile Range, New
Mexico. The demonstration marks the first time that a fully
integrated laser system successfully engaged and fired on a target
from a rotary-wing aircraft over a wide variety of flight regimes,
altitudes and air speeds.
The test achieved all primary and secondary goals,
providing solid experimental evidence for the feasibility of high
resolution, multi-band targeting sensor performance and beam
propagation supportive of High Energy Laser capability for the
rotary-wing attack mission. Additionally, the system performed as
expected while tracking and directing energy on a number of
targets. The design of future HEL systems will be shaped by the
data collected on the impact of vibration, dust and rotor downwash
on HEL beam control and steering.
"Our goal is to pull the future forward," said
Art Morrish, vice president of
Advanced Concept and Technologies for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "This data
collection shows we're on the right track. By combining combat
proven sensors, like the MTS, with multiple laser technologies, we
can bring this capability to the battlefield sooner rather than
later."
In this test Raytheon coupled a variant of the
Multi-Spectral Targeting System, an advanced electro-optical
infrared sensor, with a laser. The MTS provided targeting
information, situational awareness and beam control.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, 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™ 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 Contact
Sally
McDonough
214-449-8715
saspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company