TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed its 1,000th Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) upgrade for the U.S. Army. Earlier this year, Raytheon reached the same milestone with its worldwide customer base.

Part of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System, the upgraded GEM-T missile provides a substantial capability against a wide variety of threats, including tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, at a fraction of the cost of a new missile.

"This low-cost alternative makes it possible for our partner nations to increase their air and missile defense capabilities utilizing their existing Patriot systems," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president of Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "We are proud of this production milestone, the capabilities of the combat-proven Patriot and the trust placed in us by our 12 partner nations."

Patriot GEM-T missiles are modernized and refurbished Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles. The upgrade also includes the replacement of select components that increase reliability and extend the service life of the missile. GEM-T missile upgrades are ongoing under existing contracts with the U.S. and other Patriot partner nations and are performed at Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass.

The GEM-T upgrade program has benefited significantly from the application of Raytheon Six Sigma™ and Lean manufacturing principles. Manufacturing cycle time has been reduced by more than 50 percent, resulting in 77 consecutive months of on or ahead-of-schedule deliveries. These efficiencies enable Raytheon to continue to provide a cost-effective upgraded missile capability to Patriot partner nations.

Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and is the system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.

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