TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), system integrator of the Patriot Air Defense System, successfully led a team in the launch of the Patriot's newest interceptor, the Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) version of the PAC-3 missile, during a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

The firing was conducted using a Patriot Configuration-3 fire unit with engineering upgrades to the Post Deployment Build-6 system software. This mission was the second in a series of live-fire exercises conducted to evaluate the new interceptor's capability within the Patriot system.

"This test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 flexibility to integrate new and evolving interceptors and expand the Patriot battlespace with minimal software and hardware changes to the ground system," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president of Patriot Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "In support of the warfighter, Patriot continues to add capability to counter emerging threats, while providing increased system reliability and lowered life-cycle cost."

Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor of the Patriot system and the system integrator for the PAC-3 MSE interceptor. Patriot is the nation's only deployed land-based, short- to medium- range ballistic missile defense capability and is the Army's mainstay theater air and missile defense system. Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system designed to defeat advanced threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, jet and rotary wing aircraft and cruise missiles. Combat proven during Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, Patriot can simultaneously engage multiple targets under the most severe electronic countermeasure conditions.

The Patriot PAC-3 MSE program is managed by the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space and executed by the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Project Office in Huntsville, Ala. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is the prime contractor responsible for the PAC-3 MSE interceptor.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86 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 a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
  Guy Shields
  978.858.5246

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Guy Shields of Raytheon Company, +1-978-858-5246

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