TUCSON, Ariz., March 11, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's Missile Systems business and Tampa Brass & Aluminum Corporation received the Nunn-Perry Award from the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Small Business Programs.

The award was presented to both companies for their accomplishments as a DoD mentor-protege team. The Nunn-Perry Award honors mentor-protege teams that excel in quality technical assistance, return on investment and protege development.

"This award demonstrates Raytheon's commitment to the Mentor Protege program," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Supply Chain Management. "Through the program, Tampa Brass & Aluminum has become a more valued supplier to Raytheon and the DoD."

TBA is a certified disadvantaged, veteran-owned small business located in Tampa, Fla. The company offers mold casting and complex machining for the commercial and defense industries.

"Under the Mentor-Protege program, we have enhanced our technological capability, grown our capacity and developed as a key, value-added partner to Raytheon and other DoD and commercial customers," said Chris Leto, TBA president.

Raytheon mentored TBA in lean manufacturing, machining of exotic metals, computer-aided manufacturing, business-system integration and mission assurance.

More than 30 mentor-protege teams were nominated for this year's Nunn-Perry Award. This is Raytheon Missile Systems' fourth Nunn-Perry Award and the 15th for Raytheon and its legacy companies.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors:

The DoD-sponsored Mentor-Protege program pairs large companies with eligible small businesses to enhance the proteges' capabilities. The program enables small businesses to successfully compete for larger, more complex prime contract and subcontract awards. In 2008, Raytheon subcontracted more than $2.3 billion of work to small and diverse businesses.

    Contact:
    John Patterson
    520.794.4559
    john_b_patterson@raytheon.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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