“The milestone is a critical part of the Concept Development Phase,” Raytheon stated. “It’s designed to ensure Raytheon is aligned with the MDA's expectations and on track for a Concept Review in December.”
As part of the nearly $9.8 million contract awarded in August 2015, Raytheon will define an operational concept for the MOKV.
The weapon is planned to destroy several warheads in space by launching multiple kill vehicles on a single launcher rocket, according to the release.
“Emerging threats demand a new engagement paradigm… We’re leveraging decades of experience across four kill vehicle program and vast tactical experience… to meet this critical need,” Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems Vice President Thomas Bussing said in the release.
Raytheon is also the prime contractor for the US Standard Missile-3 and the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle programs that have achieved more than 30 intercepts in space, the company said.
