Raytheon delivers first Standard Missile-3 from new Alabama missile integration facility: Raytheon has delivered the first Standard Missile-3 to the U.S. Navy from its new integration and testing facility in Huntsville, Ala., on May 23. The SM-3 missile is designed to destroy incoming short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats by colliding with them in space, a concept sometimes described as "hitting a bullet with a bullet."
"SM-3 is a critical part of our nation's defense against ballistic missiles," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems.
"SM-3s are deployed around the world today in this life-saving, defensive role. Combatant commanders consistently echo the need for more robust inventories of SM-3s in the fleet, and this factory will ensure their urgent needs are met."
Delivering both SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors, Raytheon's new $75 million, 70,000 square-foot, all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal features advanced tools and the latest processes for missile production. The facility enables Raytheon to streamline processes, reduce costs and add value for the warfighter.
