Posted on 07/21/2014 9:09:23 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Alabama had a large presence at the Farnborough International Airshow. In the case of Raytheon, that presence was also tall, slender and packing a punch.
The Massachusetts -based company had several presentations and displays at the London show, including information on the Standard Missile-6 and SM-3. Both of the missiles are produced at Raytheon's 70,000 square-foot automation integration and testing facility on Redstone Arsenal.
The company's presentation included a life-size model of its SM-3 kill vehicle, a defensive weapon used by the U.S. Navy to destroy short-to-intermediate-range ballistic missile. The SM-3 doesn't use explosives; engineered instead to use sheer force equal to that of a 10 ton truck traveling at 600 mph to destroy its targets.
"It's like a bullet hitting a bullet," said Brent White, Raytheon Missile Systems' manager for meetings, events and trade shows. "Visitors (got) to see what it's like to launch all the way from ground to impact in space."
Company seeks booming market for Huntsville-made missiles
Raytheon's missile integration and testing facility opened in Huntsville 2012. In 2013, the company also opened a 42,000 square foot office building, home to more than 100 engineers, to support its missile projects. The facilities are in addition to the company's Huntsville headquarters in Research Park.
In March, Raytheon opened a new test cell at the Redstone Arsenal facility, enabling it to boost production and keep up with growing demand for the SM-6 and SM-3 interceptors.
Dr. Taylor Lawrence, an Alabama native who is president of Raytheon Missile Systems, said the Huntsville facility will play a key role as both missile systems continue to change and expand.
"We're looking at upgrading capabilities of the SM-6 in the future and ramping up the production in coming years," said Lawrence during a recent visit to Huntsville. "The SM-3 is enjoying an incredible run. It's done some amazing intercepts in challenging environments."
Lawrence said the SM-6's upgrades will allow it to serve the Navy in a role similar to that provided to the Army by Raytheon's Patriot missile. For the SM-3, Block IB is set for delivery in 2015, while flight testing for Block IIA are scheduled for the same time.
Lawrence was among those attending the Farnborough show, where he had a chance to meet with Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and other state business leaders.
The company's presence at the show is invaluable, Lawrence said.
"It really gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of global customers in one place," Lawrence said.
For some reason the SM-3 reminds a bit of the Hydra Sandhawk sounding rocket.
http://www.hydrasandhawk.org/
Last I heard the final version, the block two bravo, was canceled by bammy and crew.
If I remember correctly this can also be used as a satellite killer.
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