Shipboard electronics experts at the Raytheon Co. are building additional MK 99 fire-control systems for the Aegis weapon system aboard U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers under terms of a $72.5 million contract. Officials are asking the Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems segment in Marlborough, Mass., to build MK 99 Aegis fire-control systems equipment, and fulfill Aegis modernization production requirements. The MK 99 fire-control system communicates with the missile-control station, notifying it of the air threat, and then illuminates the missile’s target. The MK 99 also controls the loading and arming of shipboard missiles aboard Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The MK 99 launches and provides terminal guidance for the ship’s missiles, and controls the continuous-wave illuminating radar to provide a high probability of kill.
