WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Vice President Ed Miyashiro has been named an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Pathfinder, recognizing his significant contributions in this unique field.

It is only the second time the award, which customarily recognizes contributions from military and government leaders, has been granted to an individual from the defense industry. The award is given by the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program office.

"Ed's contributions in this area are unmatched," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Kennedy. "His innovative thinking and technical expertise have driven tangible benefits to our industry and the nation."  

Miyashiro played a critical role in adapting the U.S. Navy's Standard Missile into a unique, ship-based, anti-ballistic missile interceptor.

The innovation was a huge advance, allowing the United States and its allies to position interceptors anywhere in the world, gaining precious minutes in the event of a missile attack.

A 40-year defense industry veteran – mostly at Raytheon – Miyashiro directed the effort to create the first missile capable of shooting down a ballistic missile target from a ship.

"Ed's association with SM-3 can be traced all the way back from the Lightweight Exoatmospheric Projectile (LEAP) program to the current family of Standard Missile programs," said Wesley D. Kremer, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Air and Missile Defense Systems. "He is one of the true industry pioneers of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program."

Miyashiro has served as director of all Standard Missile programs and as vice president and deputy general manager of Raytheon Missile Systems, overseeing development of a wide array of air, land and naval weapons. He currently heads the Raytheon Company Evaluation Team, which helps programs across the company.

"It has been my life's honor and a great privilege to have worked on our country's ballistic missile defense systems," Miyashiro said.  "I'm proud to share this special recognition with my dedicated colleagues at Raytheon who work tirelessly to advance these important technologies for the safety and security of our nation and its allies."

Today, the SM-3 can be fired from land or sea, using kinetic force to destroy ballistic missile threats, a process that's been likened to hitting a bullet with a bullet.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Media Contact
Raytheon Company
Mike Doble
+1.703.284.4345
corporatepr@raytheon.com

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-vice-president-ed-miyashiro-named-an-aegis-ballistic-missile-defense-pathfinder-300023303.html

SOURCE Raytheon Company