Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems has been awarded more than $145 million in Air Force contracts for a new decoy aircraft.
Raytheon was awarded a two-year, $96.7 million contract for low-rate initial production of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy, or MALD, for operational test and evaluation of the system, the Defense Department announced.
The MALD is an air-launched unmanned aircraft that mimics the flight profile and radar signature of combat planes. Designed as a low-cost, expendable craft, the programmable MALD weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of about 575 miles.
Separately, Raytheon announced Thursday that the Air Force awarded the company a $48.9 million contract to begin engineering, manufacturing and design of its MALD electronic radar jammer version, the MALD-J.
During the contract period, Raytheon plans to put the MALD-J through a series of flight tests to make the system available for use in 2012, Scott Muse, Raytheon's MALD program director, said in prepared remarks.
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The MALD-J successfully completed all 27 prior tests, culminating in a free-flight test in December 2009. Raytheon completed a second free-flight test of the MALD-J on April 27.
In a statement issued by Raytheon, Ken Watson, the Air Force's MALD program manager, said the company's MALD program has been ahead of schedule and under budget for more than three years.
missile test for navy jet
In other recent developments, Raytheon and Boeing Co. said Thursday they completed wind tunnel testing of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, or JAGM, proving the missile can be fired from the Navy's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet multi-role fighter jet.
Raytheon and Boeing are competing with Lockheed Martin in a technology demonstration to land a production contract for the JAGM, which is being designed to replace the Hellfire, Maverick and air-launched TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire guided) missiles.
ADVANCED SHIP DEFENSE
Raytheon's Standard Missile-6 ship-defense system begins sea-based flight testing this month, paving the way for "initial operational capability" - meaning a system has reached a minimum level of readiness for use - in 2011, the company said.
The SM-6 adds advanced signal processing and guidance from Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile to a Standard Missile airframe. The SM-6 will increase the range of protection from air and cruise-missile threats and protect forces ashore, said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon vice president for air and missile-defense systems.
NORWEGIAN MOTORS
Raytheon and the Norwegian defense company NAMMO have begun qualification testing of an alternative rocket motor for the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile.
The new motor will be interchangeable with the current AMRAAM propulsion system, made by Alliant Techsystems, with the same performance as the current rocket engine, Raytheon said.
Developing a second source of rocket motors will ensure Raytheon will meet its supply commitments to the U.S. and 35 allied nations, Raytheon said.
Contact Assistant Business Editor David Wichner at dwichner@azstarnet.com or 573-4181.