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.

FMI: www.raytheon.com, www.northropgrumman.com, www.atk.com