The Navy announced today the Standoff Land Attack - Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile has entered into full production and has "reported for duty" in the fleet.
Navy Rear Adm. John B. Nathman, director of Air Warfare, spoke at a joint Navy/Industry event at the Pentagon to mark the occasion.
"Precision engagement is much more than going somewhere and blowing things up. Accuracy and the ability to plan and determine where and how to control the effects of that engagement is key. SLAM-ER is a true standout of an area defense weapon. Combined with Super Hornet, the potential is tremendous," said Nathman.
"A major role of the acquisition community is to ensure that our warfighters' needs are met. SLAM-ER is a significant member of a family of lethal precision strike weapons coming into the forefront of naval firepower," said Navy Rear Adm. John Chenevey, program executive officer for strike weapons and unmanned aviation, host of the event.
Michael D. Marks, Boeing's vice president/general manager, said, "With SLAM-ER, we at Boeing are committed to giving our Navy heroes the best, most capable weapons system ever."
SLAM-ER provides a surgical strike capability against high value, fixed land targets, ships at sea or in port, and at standoff ranges greater than 150 nautical miles. High survivability and lethality are assured by SLAM-ER's adaptive terrain following, passive seeker, precise aim point control, and improved penetrating warhead.
More information on SLAM-ER is available on line at http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/missiles/wep-slam.html .
