News Release

The United States Navy received its first production SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response) from The Boeing Company on April 8. The delivery ceremony took place at the Boeing missile facility in St. Charles,. Mo., where the missile is assembled.

Capt. A. J. Benn, Standoff Missile Systems Program Manager, with the Program Executive Office (Cruise Missiles and Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) accepted delivery of the missile on behalf of the Navy. "This is truly a special occasion for the Navy/Boeing team," said Benn. "This missile has performed flawlessly in flight test. It’s my pleasure to accept the first production SLAM - ER slated for operational service. The U.S. Navy is committed to providing the fleet with the best possible weaponry - and that weaponry is the SLAM - ER."

Currently in low-rate initial production, Boeing will deliver 75 SLAM - Ers to the Navy in 1998. The Navy’s inventory of 700 SLAMs will all be retrofitted to the SLAM - ER configuration.

SLAM - ER has successfully completed five developmental test flights. Based on successful completion of these tests, the missile now moves into a new phase of testing -- Developmental Test/Operational Test (DT/OT). DT/OT consists of three shared operational and development flights conducted with assistance of the operational test community.

For more information, call Cathy Partusch, PEO(CU) Public Affairs Officer, 301-757-6316.