Jay Clemens
The U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency have completed the first flight test for a Raytheon-built missile system.
Standard Missile-3 Block IIA exhibited nosecone performance, steering control, booster separation, and second and third stage rocket motor separation during live fire at Point Mugu sea range in California, MDA said Saturday.
Taylor Lawrence, Raytheon’s missile systems president, said the missile system is intended to help protect the nation, deployed forces and allies abroad.
“The success of this test keeps the program on track for a 2018 deployment at sea and ashore,†Lawrence added.
The 21-inch diameter variant of SM-3 missile is a joint project of the U.S. and Japan that is designed to strike medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
