FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                      DATE: 11 August 1999
 

        In a decision yesterday by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition), the Navy will contract the Boeing Company, St. Louis, MO, to produce thirty Standoff Land Attack Missiles, Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) for FY 99. This marks low rate initial production III.

        The Navy completed its operational evaluation (OPEVAL) of the missile this summer. The missile performed well in operational tests. A few upgrades remain to be tested in an operational test period scheduled to be completed in January 2000. A Milestone III decision is anticipated in early 2000. Milestone III will allow for full rate production of the missile.

        SLAM-ER is a major upgrade to the SLAM missile and provides over twice the missile range, target penetration capability, and control range of SLAM. In addition, many expansions are being made to improve performance, survivability, mission planning, and pilot (man-in-the-loop) interface.

        SLAM continues to serve as the Navy’s only standoff outside area defense weapon and was deployed in 1998 to crisis areas such as the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea, and most recently in 1999 with Operation Allied Force. The Navy is gradually returning SLAMs to the production facility for conversion into SLAM-ERs. SLAM mission capability has been demonstrated by F/A-18, P-3, and S-3 aircraft.

        To learn more about the Program Executive Office, Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, log on to our website at www.peocu.js.mil.
 

For further information contact:
Cathy Partusch, Public Affairs Officer, PEO (CU)
Voice: (301) 757-6316 Pager: (888) 534-6628
Email: cpartusch@cunet.peocu.js.mil

Sandy Schroeder, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, PEO (CU)
Voice: (301) 757-5289
Email: sschroeder@cunet.peocu.js.mil