The Strike Netted Effects Demonstration Nov. 3 was viewed by senior U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy officials at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. The demonstration proved that precision engagements in the net-enabled battle space of the future are available to the warfighter today.

The Tucson demo illustrated the increased capabilities available by linking three different strike weapons -- Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile, Joint Standoff Weapon and Maverick Lock On After Launch (LOAL) -- with the AFATDS (the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System), command and control (C2) system and the Integrated Real-time Tactical Targeting System.

The event successfully demonstrated the use of existing or in-development capabilities to provide new mission solutions for the warfighter.

Raytheon's Mission System Integration allowed for time sensitive targets to be positively identified and designated by troops forward in the battle space, then engaged by precision weapons launched from various platforms.

In the netted battlefield, Raytheon provides both the weapon-targeting pairing and the critical link to connect the warfighters' calls for fire to the appropriate weapon systems for a timely and effective response.

Raytheon demonstrated the capability to integrate and exercise the entire effects chain from sensors (finding the target) to C2 (deciding to attack the target) to final effects (attack and destruction of the target), including results verification using battle damage assessment images.

"This demonstration really shows the 'the art of the possible' in meeting tomorrow's warfighter needs with today's systems," said Harry Schulte, vice president, Strike weapon systems team.

"This provides our customers with a view of how they can achieve their future battlefield needs today using current assets with minimal added investment."

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