Raytheon Technologies Central to the Future of Europe's Ballistic Missile Defenses

Raytheon radars, sensors and Standard Missile-3 interceptors will play major roles in the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for Missile Defense in Europe. PAA is a mix of systems and solutions that can be added, relocated or upgraded as needed to protect Europe against the growing ballistic missile threat. The Obama Administration has selected SM-3 as the centerpiece of the Phased Adaptive Approach.

"It's no accident that Raytheon's SM-3 is the cornerstone of the PAA. Our current variant of the missile will be sea-based, and our next-generation variant will be both sea- and land-based," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "The ability to field both types of SM-3 interceptors provides the flexibility necessary to counter today's evolving threats."

The most recent test of the SM-3 took place in April 2011. The Raytheon-built interceptor destroyed a target ballistic missile some 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean. This exercise marked the 19th successful intercept of a ballistic missile target using the SM-3, and the first time all Raytheon components of the PAA were used in the same flight test. It also served to certify PAA's phase one.

Raytheon has long and deep relationships with many European countries and companies. As the United States moves into the Phase II of PAA, the company will work with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and NATO to develop a roadmap for placing assets in Europe. The deployment of sea- and land-based SM-3 integrated with Raytheon AN/TPY-2 radars will provide a highly capable, flexible and affordable regional BMD capability.

Romania will be the first nation to host land-based SM-3. The coming phases of PAA will also create new opportunities for partnership between Raytheon and European industry, bringing economic benefits and creating European jobs.