Is That a Robot in My Factory? Jim McCoym, CIO, Raytheon Missile Systems [NYSE: RTN]
Jim McCoym, CIO, Raytheon Missile Systems [NYSE: RTN]
When you walk into the factories at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona, don’t be surprised to find robots working side-by-side with humans on the production lines. These automated workers have long had a place in other industries such as automotive, but thanks to some significant investments in manufacturing, the world’s largest missile maker has made the move to automation.
“We’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the last few years to upgrade and modernize our factories,” said Kim Ernzen, Vice President, Raytheon Missile Systems Operations. “Robots are now performing lower level, repeatable tasks such as applying glue to the lens of a missile seeker.”
Consider it the military’s version of speed to market.
Military agencies are adopting some of the same software development techniques that commercial tech companies use to innovate and iterate quickly. And, they’re doing it not to boost sales, but to stay ahead of attacks that move faster than anything in the history of warfare.
“You don’t want to be deployed to the middle of the ocean and learn that there’s a new threat you aren’t prepared for,” said retired U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Lott, a former commanding officer of the guided missile cruisers USS Vincennes (CG-49) and USS Chosin (CG-65), and now a director of requirements and capabilities at Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
Defense Daily
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