WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Air Force successfully completed
the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) Milestone C decision briefing,
paving the way for the program to enter low rate initial
production.
Unlike standard bombs, SDB II employs Raytheon's revolutionary
tri-mode seeker that operates in three different modes:
- millimeter-wave radar
- uncooled imaging infrared
- semi-active laser.
SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical
miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and hard
targets. The bomb can also change targets in-flight through the use
of a secure datalink.
"The Milestone C decision enables us to begin putting this
game-changing capability into the warfighters' hands," said Col
Kevin Hickman, USAF SDB II program
manager. "The ability to strike moving targets with extreme
precision in adverse weather reduces an aircrew's time in harm's
way and limits collateral damage in the battlespace."
The Milestone C achievement follows a successful functional
configuration audit, production readiness review and system
verification review. Milestone C will lead to a positive
acquisition decision memorandum validating the preparedness of the
company and the weapon system to continue to production.
"Achieving Milestone C marks the hard work of the U.S.
government and Raytheon teams to verify that we meet or exceed the
requirements necessary for a Lot 1 production decision," said
Jim Sweetman, SDB II program
director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "SDB II's unique
capabilities help ensure that our warfighters maintain their unfair
advantage in the fight."
About SDB II
SDB II employs Raytheon's unprecedented
tri-mode seeker.The new seeker operates in multi-attack modes:
millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semi-active
laser. These sensors enable the weapon to seek and destroy targets,
both moving and stationary, even in adverse weather conditions from
standoff ranges.
SDB II can strike targets from a range of more than 40 nautical
miles, with a dynamic warhead that can destroy both soft and
armored targets, while keeping collateral damage to a minimum
through a small explosive footprint. The highly accurate SDB II
offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets after release
through a secure datalink that passes in-flight updates to the
weapon.
The Department of Defense has validated SDB II as a weapon that
meets a critical warfighter need and has invested more than
$700 million in the SDB II
program.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a
history of innovation spanning 93 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 Contact
Ashley
Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company