KAUAI, Hawaii, June 5, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY -- Two Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-built Standard Missile-2 Block IV missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target above the Pacific Ocean June 5. The successful engagement demonstrated a near- term, sea-based capability for stopping threat ballistic missiles in their terminal or final phase of flight.

The short-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Mobile Launch Platform operating off the coast of Kauai on the Pacific Missile Range Facility while the crew of the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) fired the modified SM-2 Block IV surface-to-air missiles.

"This intercept is a major step toward deploying a viable sea-based capability to stop threat ballistic missiles in the final moments before they strike," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. "SM-2 Block IV can destroy incoming missiles through either direct impact or by exploding close to the target."

This was the second test of a modified SM-2 Block IV and the first to use an operational version of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense combat system that includes the terminal BMD mission capability.

Raytheon also produces Standard Missile-3 designed to defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight as well as the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, a key element of the U.S. Army's Ground-based Midcourse Defense program.

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 more than 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.

  Note to Editors:
  Raytheon's missile defense hit-to-kill successes:

  Standard Missile-3                  Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle
  Jan. 25, 2002                       Oct. 2, 1999
  June 13, 2002                       July 13, 2001
  Nov. 21, 2002                       Dec. 3, 2001
  Dec. 11, 2003                       March 15, 2002
  Feb. 24, 2005                       Oct. 14, 2002
  Nov. 17, 2005                       Sept. 1, 2006
  June 22, 2006                       Sept. 28, 2007
  April 26, 2007
  June 22, 2007
  Nov. 6, 2007
  Dec. 17, 2007
  Feb. 20, 2008

  Contact:
  John Patterson
  520.794.4559
  john_b_patterson@raytheon.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: John Patterson of Raytheon Company, +1-520-794-4559,
john_b_patterson@raytheon.com

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