TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force selected Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) GBU-53/B for the Small Diameter Bomb increment II program. The SDB II is an air-launched, precision-strike standoff weapon that will enable the warfighter to defeat moving and fixed targets in adverse weather conditions.

The $450 million contract calls for Raytheon's GBU-53/B to begin engineering manufacturing development. Delivery is expected to begin in 2013 with a required assets available date in late 2014.

"Raytheon proved we can provide the warfighter a low-risk, affordable solution that meets their needs," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "A versatile weapon that is simple to employ, Raytheon's GBU-53/B can be integrated on all required aircraft and fully meets the load-out requirements for all versions of the fifth generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's internal weapon bays."

Raytheon's GBU-53/B incorporates an improved seeker that features three modes of operation:  millimeter-wave radar, uncooled imaging infrared and semiactive laser.

"Raytheon's innovative use of an uncooled IIR seeker met all the warfighter's requirements and reduced the weapon's total life-cycle cost and logistics footprint," added Dr. Lawrence.

Raytheon had a successful technical demonstration program, during which the company tested and verified that its form factored tri-mode seeker could seamlessly transition between modes. The GBU/53-B seeker proved its reliability during flight testing when it flew 26 missions in 21 days without a single hardware failure.

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