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.

 

Source: Raytheon and BAE Systems Successfully Test Fire DDG 1000 MK57 Vertical Launching System