TUCSON, Ariz., July 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN), in partnership with Fokker and Dallara, has
developed a lower-cost carbon fiber airframe for the U.S. Air
Force's Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) by applying
robotics and formula racing technologies.
The three companies reduced airframe production costs by 25
percent. The new innovative composite design will be included in
this year's Lot 7 production.
"MALD is a cost-efficient, modular system that can protect
manned aircraft from the need to engage threats and make stand-off
munitions even more lethal," said Scott
Muse, Raytheon's MALD programs director. "Driving
affordability is a key element of customer success. Through the
partnership with Fokker, Dallara and the U.S. Air Force, we
delivered MALD's capabilities at a lower price."
Raytheon Missile Systems partnered with industry leaders, using
robotics and commercial racing car technologies to cut the cost of
defense aerospace applications. Fokker Technologies, which develops
and produces advanced structures and electrical systems for
aerospace and defense, helped to adapt robots to wind the carbon
fiber fuselage, rather than rely on the conventional, hand-built
approach. Dallara, which for 40 years has produced some of the
fastest, safest racing cars in the world, applied the lightweight,
very strong structural technologies used in Indy car racing to
airframe accessories, including covers and air inlets.
About MALD and MALD-J
MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is
modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300
pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles.
MALD protects aircraft and their crews by duplicating the
combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft.
MALD-J adds radar-jamming capability to the basic MALD
platform.
- MALD confuses enemy air defenses by duplicating friendly
aircraft flight profiles and radar signatures.
- MALD-J maintains all capabilities of MALD and adds jamming
capabilities.
- Raytheon began delivery of MALD-Js in the fall of 2012.
About Fokker Technologies
Fokker Technologies is the group name for four specialized
Fokker Business Units: Fokker Aerostructures, Fokker Elmo, Fokker
Landing Gear and Fokker Services. Fokker Technologies
develops and produces advanced aerostructures and electrical
systems for the aerospace and defense industry, and supplies
integrated services and products to aircraft owners and operators.
The group achieved a turnover of € 762 million in 2013 with 4,688
employees in eight countries.
About Dallara
Dallara is a world-wide manufacturer of fast and safe race cars,
with focus on Composite Design and Construction, Aerodynamics and
Vehicle Dynamics. Headquarters are located in Varano de' Melegari
(Parma, Italy) with a subsidiary
facility in Speedway, Ind.
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