TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 26, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Northrop Grumman Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) team fired a Stage 2 rocket motor featuring an enhanced nozzle and upgraded ballistics. The firing occurred at the Alliant Techsystems' test facility in Elkton, Md., Sept. 25.

KEI is a land-based missile defense system featuring the Missile Defense Agency's newest rapid acceleration interceptor. Fully deployed, the mobile system will have the capability to destroy medium, intermediate and intercontinental ballistic missiles in their boost, ascent and midcourse phases of flight.

"This test builds additional confidence in our booster design and demonstrates significant progress toward our first flight test in 2009," said Chuck Ross, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of KEI. "This firing paves the way for future tests in high-altitude environments."

KEI features a compact, lightweight design that enables mobility and flexible deployment.

Northrop Grumman is leading the team charged with developing and testing a KEI capability for the Missile Defense Agency. Raytheon leads the program's interceptor development work. Alliant Techsystems is Raytheon's principal subcontractor and is responsible for performing Stage 1 and Stage 2 rocket-motor development work.

Orbital Sciences will integrate the booster and prepare range operations for the 2009 flight.

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.

   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/