Raytheon has completed the first successful flight test of the Standard Missile-3 Block IB, which is the cornerstone of phase two of the administration's Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA). This is the 20th successful intercept for Raytheon's SM-3 program.

"This next-generation variant of the SM-3 is critical to the ballistic missile defense of the U.S. and our allies, because it can defeat the more sophisticated threats emerging around the world today," said Dr. Taylor Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president.

During the test, the target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island of Kauai. As the target rose above the horizon, the USS Lake Erie's SPY-1 radar acquired and began tracking the target. After target launch, the ship's crew fired a SM-3 Block IB.

During flight, the missile's kinetic warhead acquired the target with its two-color infrared seeker and tracked it through intercept.

Raytheon's SM-3 Block IB is based on the highly successful SM-3 Block IA, which is currently deployed as part of the first phase of the PAA.

"Raytheon has delivered more than 130 SM-3 Block IAs ahead of schedule and under cost," said Wes Kremer, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air and Missile Defense Systems product line. "We are on track to deliver the SM-3 Block IB to the nation by 2015 for deployment at sea and ashore."