Raytheon and the U.S. Army have demonstrated the features of the Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative missile during a Black Dart military exercise, where the missile intercepted an unmanned aerial system and a cruise missile.
The company said Thursday the AI3 missile features a “semi-active” seeker and radar system to detect targets and will be used to support the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Block 1 weapon system.
“Black Dart was the ideal venue for us to demonstrate AI3’s expanded capabilities,” said Thomas Bussing, vice president of Raytheon’s advanced missile systems business.
He noted that the missile works to integrate with Army systems and complement IFPC Block 1.
The ground-based IFPC system is designed to destroy targets such as rockets, mortars, artillery, cruise missiles and UAS, Raytheon said.