Raytheon opens Standard Missile factory for final assembly, testing of SM-3, SM-6
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., 26 Nov. 2012. Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) opened a new 70,000 square-foot Standard Missile production facility at the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., where staff will complete final assembly and testing of the company's Standard Missile-3 and SM-6 interceptors.
"This factory is the most advanced missile integration facility in the world, enabling Raytheon to provide our domestic and international customers with the most effective, reliable and affordable products possible," says Raytheon Missile Systems President Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence. "The missiles assembled in this factory will play a critical role in protecting our homeland and defending our allies around the globe."
At the new missile integration and testing facility features tools and processes, factory technicians will move missiles inside the factory using special transport vehicles powered by lithium batteries. The transporters use internal positioning system for safely and efficiently maneuvering through the facility to the workstations. The laser-guided vehicles handle all hardware transfers necessary, allowing technicians to concentrate on other aspects of production.
The first SM-6 missiles are scheduled to be delivered from the new facility to the customer in Feb. 2013. Initial SM-3 rounds are scheduled to be delivered the following quarter.
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Courtney Howard | Executive Editor
Courtney, as executive editor, enjoys writing about all things electronics and avionics in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Military & Aerospace Electronics, Avionics Intelligence, the Avionics Europe conference, and much more. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, and on LinkedIn.
