Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] played a key role in today's successful test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system conducted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA missile, launched for the first time from a Japanese destroyer, engaged and destroyed a medium-range ballistic missile target.

Japan Ship (JS) Kongo (DDG-173) launched the SM-3, destroying a target fired from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii. While this was the first time the Japanese have tested the system, it marks the 12^th successful intercept overall for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense SM-3.

Boeing has partnered with Raytheon on SM-3 development since 1996 and builds and integrates several components of the SM-3 Kinetic Warhead.

"This successful test brings a new level of defensive capability and security for our ally Japan," said Debra Rub-Zenko, vice president of Boeing Integrated Missile Defense. "Boeing is proud to be a member of the industry team working in partnership with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy to ensure our friends and allies are prepared to meet tomorrow's threat."

In December 2003, Japan decided to upgrade their Kongo Class Destroyers with the U.S. Navy's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense capability. These installations are scheduled for 2007 through 2010. Each installation will be followed by a flight test to demonstrate the proper operation of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense equipment and computer programs. JS Kongo was the first ship to have the BMD upgrade installed.

Boeing is under subcontract to integrate and test the SM-3 Kinetic Warhead avionics and guidance and control software, as well as the ejection subsystem. Raytheon provides the infrared seeker and divert attitude control system and integrates the full SM-3 missile.

In addition to its work on the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program, Boeing has key roles in several other elements of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System architecture. Boeing is prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system and the Airborne Laser. It also develops and produces the seeker for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile.