DeepStrike passes critical test

Raytheon’s new DeepStrike missile rocket motor passed a static test conducted at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia, the company announced on 23 April.

The successful test moved the advanced, surface-to-surface weapon closer to its maiden flight test planned later in 2019.

The new, long-range precision strike missile features two-in-the-pod design and is highly manoeuvrable. It has a modular, open architecture to simplify system upgrades. The missile will be able to defeat fixed land targets 60-499km away.

The company is offering the DeepStrike missile for the US Army's Precision Strike Missile programme to replace the army tactical missile system that is approaching the end of its service life.  

Thomas Bussing, VP, advanced missile systems, Raytheon, said: ‘Testing shows us how initial data assessments line up and validates them for the next phase in development. This test confirms our design for the DeepStrike propulsion system is solid and moves us one step closer to extending the army's reach and doubling the load-out of long-range fires.’

Raytheon has already concluded a successful preliminary design review for the weapon.