Last Updated: 05/16/2011*

Raytheon's Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) satellite intercept was awarded Aviation Week’s 52nd Annual Laureate Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement, strategy, leadership and heroism in aviation, aerospace and defense.

Raytheon was part of the team that won the Operations category for the effort, nicknamed "Operation Burnt Frost."

“It is a tremendous honor for our SM-3 team to receive this award. It shows us that the intercept made an impact on our industry and our nation,” said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of Naval Weapon Systems.

On Feb. 20, 2008, an SM-3 intercepted and destroyed a failing satellite containing toxic fuel, 153 miles above the Pacific Ocean. The SM-3 was specially modified for this unique operation, performing beyond its intended capabilities to intercept the target.

The modified SM-3 intercepted the satellite at a higher altitude and with a closing velocity that was more than double of any previous flight test missions. Throughout the process, Raytheon engineers worked closely with their customers to ensure mission success.

“It was a true challenge to pull together our design team and work with industry and government engineers from across the country to modify the SM-3 to intercept this unique threat,” said, Richard Hussey, SM-3 program manager, “our team is very proud to receive this recognition for our work.”

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Richard Hussey (far right), SM-3 program manager, accepts the 'Aviation Week' Laureate Award for Operation Burnt Frost on behalf of Raytheon.

More Information

SM-3 Satellite Intercept Animation

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