New TOW round, flight speed of Mach 6.6!
http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/briefs/112102.htm
Raytheon demonstrates hypersonic flight of compact kinetic energy missile
TUCSON, Ariz., (Nov. 21, 2002) - A Raytheon-led team successfully demonstrated a compact kinetic energy missile at a speed of more than Mach 6.6.
The test firings, which took place Nov. 5 and Nov. 7 in Norway, are a continuation of a series of successful flight tests of Raytheon's design concept. The flight series began Aug. 6. The Raytheon research and development effort, called Hypervelocity Anti-Tank Missile (HATM), has a principal goal of testing technologies applicable to the U.S. Army's Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) program.
The HATM ballistic test vehicle (BTV) is six-inches in diameter and 50-inches in length, providing potential compatibility with over 6,000 existing Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) launch systems in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
During the most recent tests, the HATM BTV achieved a speed in excess of Mach 6.6, approximately 2.2 kilometers per second. In addition to validating performance predictions, the test successfully demonstrated the separation of the low drag kill vehicle from the booster. A separating kill vehicle and booster is key to achieving a compact lightweight design.
Earlier flight tests demonstrated the ability of the airframe to withstand the launch and acceleration environments.
The Raytheon HATM is unique in that it is suited for light tactical vehicles requiring high firepower on a single chassis while retaining mobility and tactical relevance. The objective weapon system known as CKEM will defeat various targets, including predicted advanced armor targets. HATM, with a peak velocity greater than Mach 6.0, enables the user to engage four targets in 20 seconds with overwhelming kinetic energy lethality.
"The success of the HATM tests validates the team's investments in advanced technology and innovative design to meet the U.S. Army's CKEM requirements," said Paul Walker, vice president, Raytheon Missile Systems, Land Combat product line, Tucson, Ariz.
Participating with Raytheon in this program are Alliant Techsystems and NAMMO Nordic Ammunition Company, which are responsible for the design, development and manufacture of the state-of-the-art solid rocket propulsion system. The tests were conducted on the military test range at Hjerkinn, Norway, with support of the Norwegian Army.
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a global technology leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, and business and special mission aircraft.
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CONTACT: Jennifer Allen of Raytheon Company, 520.794.4182
http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/briefs/112102.htm
Raytheon demonstrates hypersonic flight of compact kinetic energy missile
TUCSON, Ariz., (Nov. 21, 2002) - A Raytheon-led team successfully demonstrated a compact kinetic energy missile at a speed of more than Mach 6.6.
The test firings, which took place Nov. 5 and Nov. 7 in Norway, are a continuation of a series of successful flight tests of Raytheon's design concept. The flight series began Aug. 6. The Raytheon research and development effort, called Hypervelocity Anti-Tank Missile (HATM), has a principal goal of testing technologies applicable to the U.S. Army's Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) program.
The HATM ballistic test vehicle (BTV) is six-inches in diameter and 50-inches in length, providing potential compatibility with over 6,000 existing Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) launch systems in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
During the most recent tests, the HATM BTV achieved a speed in excess of Mach 6.6, approximately 2.2 kilometers per second. In addition to validating performance predictions, the test successfully demonstrated the separation of the low drag kill vehicle from the booster. A separating kill vehicle and booster is key to achieving a compact lightweight design.
Earlier flight tests demonstrated the ability of the airframe to withstand the launch and acceleration environments.
The Raytheon HATM is unique in that it is suited for light tactical vehicles requiring high firepower on a single chassis while retaining mobility and tactical relevance. The objective weapon system known as CKEM will defeat various targets, including predicted advanced armor targets. HATM, with a peak velocity greater than Mach 6.0, enables the user to engage four targets in 20 seconds with overwhelming kinetic energy lethality.
"The success of the HATM tests validates the team's investments in advanced technology and innovative design to meet the U.S. Army's CKEM requirements," said Paul Walker, vice president, Raytheon Missile Systems, Land Combat product line, Tucson, Ariz.
Participating with Raytheon in this program are Alliant Techsystems and NAMMO Nordic Ammunition Company, which are responsible for the design, development and manufacture of the state-of-the-art solid rocket propulsion system. The tests were conducted on the military test range at Hjerkinn, Norway, with support of the Norwegian Army.
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a global technology leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, and business and special mission aircraft.
###
CONTACT: Jennifer Allen of Raytheon Company, 520.794.4182
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