TEWKSBURY, Mass., Dec. 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed the production readiness review of the mission systems equipment (MSE) for the Zumwalt-class destroyer program. The successful review validates ship systems' stability and maturity and officially authorizes the program's transition to full production.

"The series of reviews built into the Zumwalt-class destroyer program are considered a 'best practice' - a model for ship programs to eliminate risks early and keep the program on track," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Robert Martin, vice president and deputy of Seapower Capability Systems. "This review confirmed that all designs, technologies and components meet program specifications and requirements so there are no surprises or delays as production commences."

This comprehensive review was the culmination of more than 90 separate design and production reviews held to confirm the readiness of the Zumwalt's MSE, which comprises the following major subsystems: the Total Ship Computing Environment; Dual Band Radar; the external communications suite; MK 57 Vertical Launching System; AN/SQQ-90 Integrated Undersea Warfare Combat System; the Electro-Optical/Infrared suite; the Identification Friend or Foe integrated sensor suite; and the Zumwalt ship control hardware, including an integrated bridge, navigation, EO surveillance, and engineering control system components

Following the success of this production readiness review, the Zumwalt program then completed a total ship system production readiness review--the final formal review before ship construction begins. This series of reviews help ensure that all ship systems have been rigorously tested, proven and delivered to the shipyards well in advance, which results in substantial cost savings and minimal rework.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities 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:
  Carolyn Beaudry
  401.842.3550

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Carolyn Beaudry of Raytheon Company, +1-401-842-3550

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