Raytheon Looks to Sell New Medium-Range Missile Abroad - DoD Buzz: Fresh off a successful test of a new extended-range missile, Raytheon Co. is looking to sell the munition abroad, officials said.
The world’s largest missile-maker, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, partnered with Kongsberg Gruppen, an aerospace technology company in Norway, to develop the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile – Extended Range, or AMRAAM-ER.
Raytheon on Tuesday announced the Aug. 31 live-fire shot demonstrated the technology from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, which is used by the U.S. to protect the Washington, D.C., region and several other countries.
“Right now, as you stand here, you’re protected by a NASSM system with Raytheon missiles,” Michael High, who manages the program for the company, said during an interview at the Association of the United States Army’s annual conference.
By combining the guidance section from the front half of the AMRAAM and the larger rocket motor from back half of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, or ESSM, the new munition gives the system a 50 percent increase in range and a 70 percent increase in altitude, according to Raytheon.
“It increases our range, it increases our altitude, it increases our speed, it increases our [G forces] available at intercept — all the good things you’d want,” High said. “So now we have a true medium-range capability against cruise missiles, helicopters — hovering targets, I should say — fighter aircraft and UAVs.”
