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Raytheon Technologies’ Updated Standard Missile-3 Intercepts ICBM Target in MDA Demo

Raytheon Technologies' Updated Standard Missile-3 Intercepts ICBM Target in MDA Demo - top government contractors - best government contracting event
Raytheon Technologies

A variant of Raytheon Technologies' Standard Missile-3 system took down an intercontinental ballistic missile during a flight test demonstration led by the Missile Defense Agency, marking the first time such technology intercepted a target outside Earth's atmosphere.

MDA employed sensors from the company's intelligence and space business for space-based early warning and used the SM-3 Block IIA ballistic missile defense system to destroy the sensor-identified target from low-Earth orbit, Raytheon Technologies said Tuesday.

"This first-of-its-kind test shows that our nation has a viable option for a new layer of defense against long-range threats," said Bryan Rosselli, vice president of strategic missile defense at the Raytheon Missiles and Defense business.

SM-3 interceptors can be fired from both ships and land are equipped with sensors, effectors, command and control and integration functions to provide the U.S. and its allies with missile defense capabilities.

Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries helped develop the Block IIA variant.

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Written by Christine Thropp

oversees day-to-day content production for ExecutiveBiz, a publication under Executive Mosaic's media group covering government contracting industry news. She also writes about executive movements and commentaries, M&A activities, contract awards and technology and service offerings of medium-sized businesses and other GovCon companies. Prior to assuming her current responsibilities with EBiz, Thropp produced daily competitive intelligence briefings for the company's GovCon customers.

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