Raytheon Missiles & Defense press release
“Today’s successful test not only demonstrates the ship’s capability to fire missiles and conduct self-defense, it is also a significant step toward more advanced combat system testing and operations for our Navy’s most technically innovative warship. The USS Zumwalt crew and Surface Development Squadron One are working hand-in-hand with the acquisition community to advance this ship’s operational capability.”
Capt. Matt Schroeder, DDG 1000 program manager
The test highlighted five Raytheon Missiles & Defense-produced systems, spanning the radar’s detection of the incoming threat to the missile’s interception:
- AN/SPY-3 Radar
- MK57 Vertical Launch System (VLS)
- Cooperative Engagement Capability
- Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA
- Zumwalt Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) combat system
Under the coordination and control of the TSCE, the mission included several first-ever milestones: firing of a SM-2 Block IIIA from a DDG 1000 ship class; firing from a MK57 VLS; and use of the SPY-3 radar for in-flight support of the SM-2’s upgraded guidance system.
“From radar detection to missile intercept, our systems were at the heart of this successful test and continue to provide a vital role in defense of ships and sailors around the globe,” said Kim Ernzen, Naval Power mission area vice president at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
