The Raytheon AMRAAM family of missiles.
	The future has arrived with the Raytheon Systems beyond visual range air-to-air missile programme for Eurofighter			FRAAM makes its bid
				The prime bidder for the UK MoD’s beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) programme for the Eurofighter is Raytheon Systems Limited. To meet their requirements, Raytheon is offering its future medium range air-to-air missile (FMRAAM). It is a low risk proposal that seeks to combine the best of US, UK and European defence technology. The smart path FMRAAM is the latest evolution of the proven AIM-120 AMRAAM, (advanced medium range air-to-air missile) the world’s benchmark beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. AMRAAM has been purchased by 16 nations and approved for a further four. It is already in service with the Royal Navy’s fleet air arm and is being integrated onto the RAF’s Tornado F3. FMRAAM will benefit from this outstanding heritage that includes over $2bn of research and development in the AMRAAM programme by the US Department of Defence. Such heritage means that Raytheon will be able to deliver this high-performance missile on time and within budget. AMRAAM will be carried on Eurofighter when it enters service, FMRAAM will build upon this investment and ensure that Eurofighter can maintain air superiority well into this century. FMRAAM incorporates the latest technology developments from both Europe and the US, including a state-of-the-art liquid-fuelled Ramjet. This gives the missile a 250 per cent improvement in the no-escape zone of the target aircraft. With many of our allies already users of AMRAAM, FMRAAM, with its common infrastructure and modes of operation, therefore offers true interoperability and strengthens the UK and Europe’s missile technology base. The combination of European and US team members and technology will ensure unprecedented levels of high technology transfer and data access across the Atlantic. FMRAAM will open up a world-wide market based on the 6,000 AMRAAM-capable aircraft that are already in service. Therefore, an export potential has been identified of up to 15,000 missiles. Further, FMRAAM will boost the exportability of Eurofighter, providing a trusted and proven weapon system to complement Eurofighter’s capabilities. FMRAAM represents a combination of proven lethality and mission success with improved range and agility over existing missile systems. These factors will allow Raytheon’s FMRAAM to defeat both emerging and future threats well into the this century. The solution Raytheon’s FMRAAM will deliver: Air superiority over all current and future threats for the foreseeable future. True interoperability with allies. A low-risk, high-performance solution. On time and to budget. Huge export potential. Superiority for Eurofighter in the world market as well as in the air. A strengthened UK and European missile technology base, making it a world leader in the medium range air-to-air missile field. Technology transfer between the UK, the US and Europe. ERAAM – not to be ignored Raytheon also has submitted a proposal for ERAAM (extended range air-to-air missile) that utilises a dual-pulse rocket motor. ERAAM provides up to 80 per cent of the kinematic performance of FMRAAM, at a fraction of the price. ERAAM is part of the AMRAAM family of missiles offering a staged approach to FMRAAM. The extended range air-to-air missile plus [ERAAM plus] is a part of the co-operative programme to develop the next generation beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. ERAAM plus, a hitherto unseen missile variant, incorporates the latest technology available from the AMRAAM pre-planned product improvement [P3I] phase 3 programme that is currently being developed by Raytheon in the US. If the UK MoD select the Raytheon approach for their BVRAAM requirement, the two governments will form an equal partnership to develop and produce a new missile that satisfies both UK and US requirements. “This truly is a first for Raytheon and the US and UK governments – the co-operative programme is a watershed development in the aerospace and defence industry,” said Daniel P. Burnham, Raytheon chairman and chief executive officer. “The BVRAAM and AMRAAM P3I programme provides a long-term partnership that will allow the US and UK to jointly develop, and produce, a world-class air-to-air missile. This new missile system will equip current and future generation fighters to include the Eurofighter, joint strike fighter and F-22 (the USAF’s next generation fighter) in order to maintain continued air supremacy and increase interoperability. AMRAAM is operational on the F-15, F-16, F-18, the German F4F and the UK’s Sea Harrier as well as the Norwegian advanced surface-to-air missile system “This programme will be the catalyst and benchmark for how all international programmes should be created in the future,” Burnham said. Peter McKee, managing director, Raytheon Systems added, “The co-operative programme will strengthen the UK missile capability and provide access to the US market for European companies. I’m very pleased that Raytheon is leading the way by facilitating this alliance that will provide joint management, joint control and future development. The lessons of coalition warfare clearly reinforce that this approach is long overdue and that we must share resources and make smarter procurements rather than duplicating requirements that cannot inter-operate when called into action.” Deal promises 3,000 new jobs McKee drew attention to the fact that Raytheon’s BVRAAM approach will save at least £450 million and also could create or sustain as many as 3,000 jobs in the UK with exports. These substantial cost-savings are likely to be especially critical for the UK government’s new procurement process. This partnership will provide opportunities for future co-operative developments to meet jointly determined requirements. The benefits of sustained interoperability, already embodied by 23 nations participating in what is now an international AMRAAM programme, has been underscored during recent NATO and coalition operations in the Balkans. US-UK partnership The co-operative programme incorporates a pioneering trans-Atlantic and European industrial plan that features high UK work-share, realising a partnership for UK industry in the development, manufacture and support of UK, US and export missiles. The programme will provide the UK initially with 62 per cent of development, production and jobs for the MoD BVRAAM procurement and give the UK 50 per cent of the larger US air-to-air market. Furthermore, UK industry will participate fully in the production of every missile sold around the world. McKee went on to say: “In that same vein, we have initiated new activity within the Eurofighter associate nations to assist and define their future participation in this ground-breaking programme.” Raytheon’s solutions for BVRAAM reflect the UK MoD’s desire for smart procurement, identified in the MoD’s strategic defence review and the government’s good practice guidelines for public sector procurement. ©
	The A-team Raytheon is leading a European team of missile experts to produce BVRAAM • RSL – prime contractor and design authority • Shorts Missile Systems Ltd (Northern Ireland) – missile integration, final assembly and test • RSL – Electronic Systems Glenrothes (Scotland) – sub-system electronics • Thomson-Thorn Missiles Electronics Ltd (England) – lethality section • Diehl GmbH & Co. – lethality section • ARC – propulsion system • Fokker Special Products – ramjet fin actuation sub-system • Aerospatiale Missiles – ramjet propulsion system
	"A combination of European and US teams and technology will ensure new levels of technology transfer and data access across the Atlantic"