TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant production milestone, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to the U.S. Navy.

"Tomahawk Block IV provides the Navy with a combat-proven weapon that plays a critical role in hybrid warfare operations," said Capt. Dave Davison, the U.S. Navy's program manager for the Tomahawk weapon system. "The Navy's receipt of the 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV provides the commander with a powerful tactical weapon to shape the battlespace and prosecute time-critical targets."

Tomahawk Block IV's technologies provide a tactical capability while reducing acquisition, operation and support costs. Tomahawk Block IV employs a two-way satellite datalink that enables a strike controller to flex the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield and await a more critical target.

"The Tomahawk program continues to provide the U.S. Navy with the capability to project precision firepower across the breadth and depth of the battlespace while delivering unprecedented flexibility to the commander," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon's Air Warfare Systems product line. "With the dedication of our employees and suppliers, the Tomahawk program has set the standard in cruise missile capability."

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 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 88 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 75,000 people worldwide.

SOURCE Raytheon Company