Brenda Marie Rivers
Raytheon has tested a hot-fire rocket motor in support of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program that seeks to integrate missiles’ guided projectile features with defensive gun systems’ rapid-fire function.
The company said Monday it designed the interceptor for potential use with DARPA's Multi-Azimuth Defense Fast Intercept Round Engagement System to help forces counter threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-ship missiles.
Thomas Bussing, vice president of Raytheon's advanced missile systems segment, said the company seeks to address a U.S. Navy requirement for technology that can mitigate approaching targets with the MAD-FIRES interceptor.
DARPA intends for MAD-FIRES to incorporate flight path alteration and ammunition features into gun weapons to facilitate rapid launch of precision guided projectiles.
