PARIS, June 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is re-introducing its 250-pound Paveway laser-guided precision munition to the warfighter inventory. Raytheon's combat-proven Paveway is a kit that transforms "dumb" bombs into precision guided weapons.

The 250-pound weapon, which is now designated the GBU-58, is currently undergoing testing on the Hawker-Beechcraft AT-6 and other counter-insurgency aircraft. GBU-58 is currently integrated on the Super Entendard and the Mirage 3. The Paveway family of weapons is integrated on more than 17 aircraft in 42 countries, and Raytheon has delivered more than 350,000 of the systems.

"Warfighters around the world have asked for smaller precision-guided munitions to reduce collateral damage and the GBU-58 is Raytheon's solution because it has unmatched standoff capability and flexible warhead options," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "With thousands of combat uses, Raytheon's Paveway family of weapons is the most frequently employed and cost effective direct-attack precision guided weapon on the market."

Raytheon Company, with 2010 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 89 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 72,000 people worldwide.

For more on Raytheon's presence at the 2011 Paris Air Show please visit http://www.raytheon.com/media/parisair2011/ for multimedia downloads, features, technology spotlights and company news. Journalists may also follow Raytheon Company updates from the show on Twitter @raytheoncompany.

Note to Editors:

More than 150 Raytheon employees design and build the Paveway™ family of weapons in Tucson, Ariz.

Hundreds of employees in scores of businesses across the U.S. design and manufacture Paveway™ components. Major suppliers include: Airborn, Addison, Texas; Carleton Technologies, Orchard Park, N.Y.; Eagle Picher, Joplin, Mo.; Peco Manufacturing, Portland, Ore.; Syntec Technologies, Pavilion, N.Y.

www.raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company