MK 57 Vertical Launching System Tested Successfully

Released on Monday, February 12, 2007

Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Integrated Defense Systems and BAE Systems have successfully completed a restrained test firing of a Standard Missile-2 BLK IV MK72 rocket booster on the new MK57 Vertical Launching System missile launcher.

The test demonstrated the system's ability to safely withstand a static burn of an MK72 rocket motor in the new launcher. The test was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to prepare for deploying the MK57 Vertical Launching System on the DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer.

"The success of this restrained firing is another indicator that the program has a robust preliminary design and is ready to enter detailed design," said Jay Dolan, BAE Systems MK57 program manager for the system.

The DDG 1000 will carry 20 MK57 Vertical Launching System missile launchers distributed along the periphery of the ship.

"The MK57 Vertical Launching System represents a major advance in maritime missile launching systems," said Mike Sogar, Raytheon's program manager. "It's flexible, economical, easy to maintain and widely applicable across both the surface fleet and land-based installations."

The MK57 features an open architecture, modular electronics design that provides a significant advantage for the integration of new missile systems without requiring modification of the launcher control software. This design will result in faster, more efficient system upgrades, as well as save significant costs and time for the Navy. To date, the MK57 Vertical Launching System team has met all program objectives, is on track to complete the design, and will be ready for production.

Under the Navy's DDG 1000 Design, Development and Integration contract awarded in 2005, Raytheon IDS serves as the prime mission systems equipment integrator for all electronic and combat systems for the DDG 1000 program. BAE Systems serves as the design agent for the MK57 and is responsible for building the launcher for the DDG 1000 destroyer.