Raytheon Delivers SeaRAM to USS Independence

Released on Tuesday, March 18, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 18, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered its SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense weapon system for installation aboard the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS-2). Currently under construction by General Dynamics, the Independence will consist of modules, manned aircraft, unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors and mission-manning detachments, all in an open-systems configuration.

SeaRAM is a low-cost spiral development of the proven Phalanx Block 1B radar and Rolling Airframe Missile, the latter produced jointly by Raytheon and RAMSYS of Germany. Intended to enlarge Phalanx's keep-out range against sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, multiple fast surface craft and slow flying helicopters, SeaRAM uses recently upgraded Block 1B Phalanx sensors and replaces the M61A1 20mm gun with an 11-round RAM missile guide.

"Raytheon is working to integrate SeaRAM with the combat management system on the LCS to provide a proven and highly lethal self-defense capability to sailors, Marines and the ship," said David Ray, Raytheon's SeaRAM program manager.

In 2001 Raytheon provided an engineering model of SeaRAM to the United Kingdom's Royal Navy for suitability testing. In 2002 Raytheon, in conjunction with the U. S. Navy, successfully launched four blast test vehicles, which measured rocket motor forces. The launches also confirmed SeaRAM's forward-looking infrared sensor can withstand multiple launches without damage. Most recently SeaRAM was aboard the Navy's Self-Defense Test Ship under going tracking exercises, system qualifications and other testing.