TUCSON, Ariz., May 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant production milestone, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the 100th Standard Missile-3 Block IA to the Missile Defense Agency.

"SM-3 Block IA is a proven, mature system that is protecting the U.S. and its allies today, and Raytheon continues to deliver this national asset ahead of schedule and below cost," said Frank Wyatt, vice president of Raytheon's Air and Missile Defense Systems product line. "This milestone is further proof of Raytheon's commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable missile defense solutions to the MDA and warfighters around the world."

The SM-3 Block IA was initially fielded in 2006. It is the third variant of SM-3, with prior versions supporting early testing and providing initial deployed capability. In 2008, Raytheon modified an SM-3 Block IA to destroy a failed satellite in space.

"Raytheon's ability to successfully combine low-cost, high-rate missile manufacturing with spacecraft precision and quality control enables the company to provide this proven capability to the warfighter," said Wyatt. "Raytheon also has the ability to build four missiles per month and plans to support customer direction and funding for higher-rate production."

Raytheon's next generation SM-3 Block IB will incorporate a throttleable divert and attitude control system and guidance and sensor upgrades to improve performance against advanced threats while maintaining the reliability of the Block IA.

Raytheon Missile Systems is developing SM-3 as part of the MDA's sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missiles are deployed on U.S. Aegis cruisers and destroyers and Japanese destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the ascent and midcourse phases of flight. Raytheon leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant Techsystems, Aerojet and The Boeing Company.

The kinetic warhead seeker and final integration occur in Raytheon's state-of-the-art kill vehicle space manufacturing facility in Tucson, Ariz., alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, an element of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. Final assembly and testing of SM-3 occurs at Raytheon's Camden, Ark., facility.

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.

www.raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company