Mon, Nov 17, 2008
On Schedule For First Flight In 2009
The Raytheon Company and Northrop Grumman Kinetic Energy
Interceptors team fired a powerful first-stage rocket motor Friday,
keeping the KEI program on schedule for a 2009 booster flight
test.
The test demonstrated the operation of the first-stage rocket
motor in its complete flight configuration, using the same thrust
vector control system and interface hardware that will be used for
the 2009 flight test.
KEI is designed to be a globally deployable, mobile missile
defense system. It includes a highly maneuverable kill vehicle
carried by a quickly accelerating and very maneuverable missile.
This integrated weapon system provides a persistent, all-weather
capability to destroy intermediate and intercontinental ballistic
missiles in their boost to midcourse phases of flight.
"We are on track for next year's scheduled booster flight test,"
said Chuck Ross, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of KEI.
"The KEI Team has embraced a test-like-you-fly methodology that
provides consistent Mission Assurance for the program."
Northrop Grumman leads the team charged with developing and
testing a KEI capability for the Missile Defense Agency. Raytheon
heads the program's interceptor development work. Alliant
Techsystems is Raytheon's principal subcontractor and is
responsible for performing Stage 1 and Stage 2 rocket- motor
development work. Orbital Sciences will integrate the booster and
prepare range operations for the 2009 flight.
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