EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 25, 2005  /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's
option to proceed with its X-band thin radar aperture (XTRA) contract has been
exercised, allowing the company to produce the next generation radar antenna
technology for the J-UCAS (Joint Unmanned Air Combat System) that could
revolutionize manned and unmanned combat systems.  The AFRL (Air Force
Research Laboratory) exercised the option following the proof of concept phase
of the contract that was issued in April 2004.

    "This is a significant confirmation of the innovative technologies that
are at the heart of the next generation systems Raytheon is developing for our
customers," said Nick Uros, vice president of Advanced Concepts and
Technologies business unit. "The design of the XTRA antenna is a revolutionary
technology and low cost approach to what exists today."

    "The XTRA technology is a leap-ahead approach for the unique challenges of
smaller and lighter unmanned systems," said Tom Kennedy, vice president,
Unmanned & Reconnaissance Systems business unit.  "We look forward to applying
XTRA to a variety of platforms."

    The XTRA array technology has advanced transmit and receive capabilities,
is lighter weight and lower cost than existing technology, and is suitable for
the larger unmanned combat systems, such as the J-UCAS, as well as smaller
unmanned airborne systems and other manned aircraft. The initial funding for
this effort is $4 million.

    Raytheon received its first award to develop the design for XTRA in April
2004. XTRA is one of several revolutionary approaches to small and affordable
arrays in development by Raytheon.

    Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) designs, develops and
manufactures advanced mission systems for precision engagement; missile
defense; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Headquartered in
El Segundo, Calif., SAS has 11,000 employees and additional facilities in
Goleta, Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several
international locations.

    Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 78,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
   Sabrina Steele
   310.647.9067 office
   310.997.4998 mobile
   sksteele@raytheon.com



SOURCE: Raytheon Company



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