Aerojet to Provide MK 125 Warhead for Standard Missile System

Defense Professionals ^ | 01/05/2010 | Defense Professionals

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Aerojet announced that the company has been selected to provide the MK 125 warhead for Raytheon Missile Systems' family of Standard Missile programs, with deliveries beginning in 2010.

The MK 125 warhead is the lethality mechanism for the SM-2 and SM-6 missile systems. This important missile system provides the U.S. Navy's fleet long-range protection from aerial threats and ensures the ability of the fleet to safely accomplish its primary mission of force projections wherever and whenever the nation calls. The program management and manufacturing will take place at Aerojet's modern, low-cost, load assembly and pack facility in Camden, Ark.

Vice President of Tactical Programs, John Myers, said, "The competitive selection of Aerojet to provide this critical warhead is a clear indication that our efforts to cut costs have been effective, while continuing to provide high-quality and on-schedule deliveries. The MK 125 consolidates our position as Raytheon and the U. S. Navy's major energetic systems provider for the SM-2 and SM-6 missiles, complementing our MK 104 and MK 72 propulsion programs."

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In case readers want to know ...

From Raytheon:

SM-1 entered production in 1967 and remains in operation with many international navies. Raytheon has assumed support of SM-1 and is leading a team of companies to provide users around the globe with access to spares and repair services.

SM-2’s primary role is to provide area defense against enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles. SM-2 is deployed in several configurations, ranging from SM-2 Block IIIA to SM-2 Block IV Extended Range.

SM-3 is being developed as part of the Missile Defense Agency’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missiles will be deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. Raytheon also is developing the Kinetic Warhead for SM-3.

SM-6, Extended Range Active Missile, is being developed to meet the Navy’s requirement for an extended range anti-air warfare (ER-AAW) missile. The initial program will provide capability against fixed and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and land attack anti-ship cruise missiles in flight, both over sea and land. With a future integrated fire control, SM-6 will provide the surface Navy with an increased battlespace against over-the-horizon AAW threats, taking full advantage of the kinematics available to Standard Missile. SM-6 will employ the SM-2 Block IV airframe and proven seeker and guidance technology from across the company’s product lines.