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McKINNEY, Texas, (Dec. 16, 2002)— A team that included Raytheon
Company successfully fired a Javelin fire-and-forget missile from a
TOW Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS) Nov. 14. The Javelin hit
the target identified by the ITAS at 2400 meters downrange.
The team consisting of PEO Tactical Missile’s Close Combat Missile
System Program Office, Javelin Joint Venture, and Raytheon Network Centric
Systems conducted the firing at Huntsville, Ala. It demonstrates ITAS
flexibility to fire all of the currently fielded TOW variants and the
newer fire-and- forget missiles as well.
The ITAS was originally designed to provide an advanced fire control
system for the TOW weapon system, significantly increasing target detection,
acquisition, recognition and engagement ranges for the TOW missile.
The 2nd Generation FLIR based ITAS allows for target acquisition and
engagement capability beyond the maximum range of the TOW missile. The
advance digital fire control computer provides missile tracking, target
tracking, embedded training and growth capability as demonstrated with
the firing of Javelin.
Javelin is the world’s premier, combat proven, medium range, anti-tank
(MRAT) fire-and-forget missile. It is now in service with the U.S. Army
and Marine Corps and in allied nation’s special operations forces.
Three other nations have selected Javelin, and more than 20 nations
in the next three years will have MRAT requirements that could be fulfilled
by Javelin. “The ability to fire current inventory TOW missiles
as well as newer fire-and-forget weapons, such as Javelin, will provide
the field commander significant increased tactical flexibility,”
said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Combat Systems, Raytheon Network
Centric Systems.
“ITAS continues to demonstrate growth capability essential for
Future Combat Systems and the Objective Force,” he added.
Raytheon’s ITAS provides maximum standoff capability for the gunner
and crew, which equates to soldier survivability. ITAS is currently
being fielded in the Army light infantry forces, including the 82nd
Airborne, 101st Air Assault, and the 2nd Infantry Division. A Modified
ITAS is the principal long-range anti-tank system for the Stryker Armored
Vehicle of the Army's new Brigade Combat Teams (BCT).
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)
is a global technology leader in defense, government and commercial
electronics, and business and special mission aircraft.
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