TUCSON, Ariz., 10 Feb. 2006. The Egyptian navy will outfit its new Fast Missile Craft with a state-of-the art protection system, following its decision to acquire Raytheon Company's Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) guided missile launching systems.
Raytheon's Mk49 RAM launchers and associated RAM Block 1A missiles will provide the primary ship self-defense capability for the Fast Missile Craft, built by VT Halter Marine in Gulfport, Miss.
The RAM Block 1A HAS (Helo/Air/Surface) missile is a light weight, quick reaction, high-firepower system designed to provide fire-and-forget defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopters and airborne threats, as well as against hostile surface craft.
The RAM Guided Missile Launching System includes a 21-round light-weight trainable launcher with supporting below-deck electronics and intuitive control interface. RAM is co-developed and co- produced under a long-standing cooperative program between the United States and German governments.
"We are very pleased that Egypt has joined the U.S., Germany, Korea and Greece in the deployment of the RAM weapon system as its premier ship self- defense system," said Todd Callahan, Raytheon's RAM program director. "In today's increasingly diverse threat environment, a highly reliable self- defense solution is absolutely critical to ensure the success of the warfighter."
Approximately 50 percent of the production work will be performed at Raytheon Missile System facilities in Louisville, Ky., and Tucson, Ariz., with the remaining half to be completed by RAM-System GmbH of Ottobrunn, Germany.
Raytheon Company, with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide. For more information, see www.raytheon.com.
