Raytheon moves forward with Multi-Object Kill Vehicle program

TUCSON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Raytheon completed the first Program Planning Review with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for its Multi-Object Kill Vehicle concept, advancing the program.

The completion marks a milestone for the program's Concept Development Phase, designed to ensure the company is meeting the Missile Defense Agency's expectations. The Concept Review takes place in December.

Raytheon is developing four kill vehicle programs as a response to emerging long-range ballistic missile threats, including the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, the Redsigned Kill Vehicle, and the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle, or MOKV. The MOKV contract was awarded to Raytheon in August, and it will be designed to engage and destroy multiple objects at a time in space by using an advanced sensor, guidance, propulsion and communication technologies.

"Emerging threats demand a new engagement paradigm -- one the Raytheon team is able to fully support with our depth of experience and breadth of capability," vice president of Advanced Missile Systems Dr. Thomas Bussing said in a statement.

The contract is valued at approximately $9.7 million. Production on the MOKV's concept is taking place at Raytheon's Advanced Missile System's product line. The company's kill vehicles are manufactured at the company's Space Factory.