Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp. continued to set the foundation for the next-generation missile with the delivery of the 600th Thrust Vector Actuation System (TVA) for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. The all electric TVA has successfully guided 100 percent of the live fire intercepts completed so far for THAAD and demonstrates the capabilities needed for future missile systems. For more than 40 years, Collins Aerospace has leveraged its experience in designing and manufacturing high-performing and precise missile actuation, a necessity in difficult environments.
For over 40 years, Collins Aerospace has provided proven high-performance missile actuation capabilities in arduous environments. Collins Aerospace experience designing and manufacturing electro-mechanical missile control actuation systems integrates Collins Aerospace motors, electronics and actuators within compact space envelopes. This enables low-cost, high-volume production with a rate ready supply chain and custom automated test equipment to validate every unit’s performance. We offer control actuation systems (CAS) and thrust vector actuation (TVA) for a variety of missile applications. Collins Aerospace experienced engineers have a strong pedigree in developing high-quality missile actuation solutions designed for any mission.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase (descent or reentry) by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, but relies on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. A kinetic energy hit minimizes the risk of exploding conventional-warhead ballistic missiles, and the warhead of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles will not detonate upon a kinetic-energy hit.
Originally a United States Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. The Navy has a similar program, the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, which also has a land component (“Aegis ashore”). The THAAD system is being designed, built, and integrated by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control acting as prime contractor. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, Boeing, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Honeywell, BAE Systems, Oshkosh Defense, and MiltonCAT. THAAD has been deployed in Guam, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Romania, and South Korea.
The TVA plays a substantial role in the flight power and steering direction of the missile – these are critical elements to current and future systems, especially as we see environments becoming more complex to navigate,” states Kevin Raftery, vice president and general manager of ISR and Space Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “Our extensive experience in missile actuation is a key differentiator for current and future platforms.”
Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp., is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the extensive capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and broad expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With 195,000 employees and four industry-leading businesses ― Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
