Raytheon has successfully completed its control test vehicle (CTV) flights for the Accelerated Improved Intercept Initiative (AI3) program. The two CTV flights are part of a company-led effort to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system elements.

Once fielded, AI3 is designed to enhance warfighter protection by destroying a wider array of incoming rockets, artillery and mortars than previously deployed solutions.

"With the completion of the CTV flights, the AI3 program remains on schedule," said Raytheon Missile Systems' Steve Bennett, AI3 program director. "Raytheon is committed to providing an affordable and highly effective solution to save warfighter lives."

During the most recent CTV test flight, the Ku-Band Radio Frequency System (KRFS) fire control radar detected the inbound threat, determined the threat would impact in a defended area, and provided command guidance via datalink to the AI3 missile.

The AI3 missile then successfully maneuvered on a calculated trajectory necessary to intercept the 107 mm rocket target. In subsequent missions, an onboard semiactive radar seeker will perform terminal guidance to target intercept.

"The AI3 program has made excellent progress to date," said Lt. Col. Brett Wilhide, the U.S. Army's project manager for AI3.

"We are now ready to progress to the guided test vehicle flight test phase of the program. Those tests will demonstrate the full integration of the tactical AI3 battle element system to intercept threat targets."