Sea-Based X-Band Radar Completes Fine Calibration Testing

Released on Tuesday, March 13, 2007

 

TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 13, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company

(NYSE: RTN) has successfully completed fine calibration of the X-Band Radar

portion of the Sea-Based X-Band Radar, or SBX, marking a major achievement

in the development of a key component of the Missile Defense Agency's

Ground- Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.

GMD is a major element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. Boeing

Integrated Defense Systems is the prime contractor for both GMD and SBX.

"With the successful completion of fine calibration testing, SBX moves

one step closer to becoming the cornerstone of surveillance in the defense

of our nation," said Pete Franklin, vice president, Raytheon Integrated

Defense Systems Integrated Air and Missile Defense. "The Raytheon-developed

X-Band Radar provides a one-of-a-kind capability. It is the sensor that can

precisely track targets at long ranges, discriminate them to isolate the

threatening objects from non-lethal ones, and perform midcourse hit

assessment."

Raytheon IDS completed the radar calibration procedures, including

initial, coarse and fine calibrations, while SBX was undergoing sea trials

in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Hawaii. This successful

conclusion of the calibration phase allows the radar to undergo final

performance verification testing. All key calibration metrics are now

within the demanding requirements defined by the contract.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems designed and built the X-Band

Radar, drawing on extensive sensor knowledge from its "Family of X-Band

Radars." As a key sensor for GMD, the X-Band Radar performs the critical

functions of cued acquisition, target tracking, discrimination, and

engagement hit assessment. The radar will help identify the hostile warhead

from the decoys and countermeasures, providing additional capability for

interceptor missiles to protect the U.S. and its friends and allies from

ballistic missile attacks.

Aboard the maneuverable SBX, the X-Band Radar can be positioned in the

ocean to support testing and provide radar coverage for possible threat

missile launches throughout the world.

 

Source: Sea-Based X-Band Radar Completes Fine Calibration Testing