SLAMRAAM destroys targets

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TEWKSBURY, Mass., April 8 (UPI) -- Raytheon-made SLAMRAAM missiles successfully destroyed a pair of targets during U.S. military tests in New Mexico, the company reported.

The limited user test-firing data will be used to validate key system capabilities and potential enhancements, in addition to providing operational assessment.

"Successful completion of this test firing demonstrates the maturity of the design and its operational capability when in the hands of soldiers," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.

"SLAMRAAM is the most cost-effective system in development to combat the increasing unmanned aerial vehicle and cruise missile threat to our deployed forces, high-value fixed assets and population centers."

Raytheon said the primary objective of the tests of the Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile was to demonstrate soldiers' ability to operate the system in a tactical environment. In addition to maneuvering and emplacing the system, the soldiers had to demonstrate the ability to properly operate the system to detect, identify, track, engage and destroy both types of threat.

The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced that SLAMRAAM would be funded through development and testing and will maintain an emergency operational capability.