RAYTHEON: EFOGM seventh test flight successful
APR 14, 1999, M2 Communications - WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N. M. -- The U. S. Army's Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missile (EFOGM), under development by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTNA, RTNB), had a successful seventh flight April 10th at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
An EFOGM instrumented tactical fire unit launched a Guided Test Vehicle missile from its storage canister on the launcher. The gunner identified and locked onto his desired target and achieved a direct hit after the missile had flown approximately 11 kilometers from the launch site. During this night flight, the missile's imaging infrared seeker for the third time successfully demonstrated the ability to detect and track enemy targets, which the system displayed on the gunner's console.
Doug Seay, Army EFOGM acting project manager, said, "EFOGM has successfully hit its intended targets twice in its first two attempts; the first at a range of 6 kilometers in January and tonight at 11 kilometers. EFOGM's back-to-back successes validate its capability to provide light forces a non-line-of-sight, long-range precision fire capability."
This EFOGM test flight marked another success in the EFOGM Advanced Technology Demonstration flight and ground equipment test program.
"EFOGM has clearly demonstrated its success by putting steel on target on each of two attempts," said Larry Schmidt, Raytheon Systems Company vice president. "The company is committed to continuing this success and providing the Army with a needed 21st Century Warrior's weapon system."
Over the next year, plans are in place for additional Guided Test Vehicle flights in which the missiles will be commanded to attack stationary and moving targets.
EFOGM is a non-line-of sight, extended range, precision strike missile system allowing brigade/division commander to engage threat armor systems, helicopters and other high-value targets before they reach the Forward Line of Troops. The system employs a 240-micron fiber optic cable, which provides passive continuous jam-proof and spoof-proof control of the missile from the fire unit during flight. The fiber optic cable allows most of the guidance electronics for the EFOGM system to be contained in the fire unit, a heavy High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle mounted control system.
The Army's EFOGM is an Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) program and is a major player in the Army's Rapid Force Projection Initiative (RFPI) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). The EFOGM ATD contract was awarded to Raytheon Company in May 1995. EFOGM successfully completed the RFPI ACTD Field Experiment during July-August 1998 at Fort Benning, Ga.
Raytheon Company, based in Lexington, Mass., is a global technology leader that provides products and services in the areas of commercial and defense electronics, engineering and construction, and business and special mission aircraft. Raytheon has operations throughout the United States and serves customers in more than 80 countries around the world.
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