EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., July 29, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a series of captive carry flight tests of its proposed solution for the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II competition, demonstrating the weapon's form-factored seeker is ready for guided test shots.

"The test series demonstrated our form-factored tri-mode seeker and guidance receiver navigator are ready to enter the engineering and manufacturing development phase," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile System's Air Warfare Systems' product line. "We have proved the technical readiness of a superior and affordable solution."

Engineers tested the weapon's integration and guidance receiver navigator on a U.S. Air Force F-15E and also conducted exhaustive seeker-performance evaluations of the weapon on a U.S. Army UH-1 helicopter.

The UH-1 enabled the Raytheon team to conduct more seeker data passes at a much lower cost on all required targets than would have been possible with a fast-moving jet aircraft. Using the helicopter also allowed engineers to thoroughly evaluate the GBU-53/B's terminal approach to targets, something not practical with fighter aircraft test platforms.

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.

    Contact:
    Mike Nachshen
    520.794.4088 - office
    520.269.5697 - mobile
    Michael_nachshen@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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