September 14, 2009
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) successfully demonstrated the underwater launch of a "non-marinized" payload -- a payload not designed to be subjected to the undersea environment -- by launching a Raytheon AIM-9X air-to-air test missile shape from a submerged Tomahawk Capsule Launching System (CLS).
Conducted at the Army's Aberdeen Test Center in Aberdeen, Md.,
under the Littoral Warfare Weapon (LWW) project, this test marks the
first time an AIM-9X test missile shape has been launched underwater.
The launch demonstrates a new degree of submarine self-defense
capability against threats from coastal surveillance aircraft,
helicopters and high-speed small craft. LWW is a joint teaming effort
between PEO Submarines, Northrop Grumman and prime contractor of the
project, Raytheon.
"This test demonstrates that underwater launch payloads no
longer need to be designed and built to withstand the rigors of the
undersea environment," said David Perry, vice president of Northrop
Grumman's Marine Systems business unit. "By adapting the encapsulation
technology Northrop Grumman pioneered for the Tomahawk CLS, we have
removed a significant barrier to launching many types of airborne
payloads."
Northrop Grumman's demonstrated encapsulation system opens the
door to submarine launch of a wide variety of defensive, offensive,
communications, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance)
payloads without needing to adapt such payloads to survive in an
undersea environment.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security
company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products,
and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems,
shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial
customers worldwide.
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