TUCSON, Ariz., April 20, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company successfully completed open loop gun firing tests of its low-cost XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) solution at New Mexico Tech Energetic Material Research and Testing Center, Socorro, N.M. The open loop tests, fired from the M198 howitzer, met all test objectives.

PGK is a competitive U.S. Army program to demonstrate the ability to significantly improve the accuracy of existing ballistic and cargo 155 and 105 mm artillery rounds with the addition of a low-cost, GPS-guided fuze kit. The Raytheon PGK design is a simple airbrake design with growth to multi-dimensional guidance and is effective for both 105 and 155 mm projectiles.

"The team is now ready for closed loop firings at tactically significant ranges, scheduled for mid-May, demonstrating the low risk and high technology readiness level of Raytheon's PGK solution," said Stephen Bennett, Raytheon PGK program manager.

Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., will serve as prime systems integrator, airframe designer and guidance and control authority, using L3 KDI Precision Products, Inc., to produce the all-up "smart fuze" kit at its automated fuze factory in Cincinnati, Ohio. KDI's proven experience with manufacturing more than 215,000 Multi-Option Fuze for Artillery fuzes for the Army will ensure a low production cost for PGK.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
   Chandra Stewart
   520.794.8580

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Chandra Stewart of Raytheon, +1-520-794-8580

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/