LONDON, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the first eight Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer initial operational test and evaluation units to the U.S. Air Force. During IOT&E, the Air Force will conduct numerous flight tests on the MALD®-J to evaluate the system in operationally realistic and demanding scenarios.

MALD® is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). MALD protects aircrews and their aircraft by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft. The MALD-J adds radar-jamming capability to the basic MALD platform.

"Because MALD-J offers the warfighter stand-in jamming capability, the need for aviators to fly to conduct dangerous jamming missions will be greatly reduced once the system reaches initial operational capability in late 2012," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems' vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "The MALD family is versatile, flexible and modular, and can carry almost any payload the warfighter can imagine, including indigenously produced jammers and electronic packages."

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.

Note to Editors:
MALD® is a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.

www.raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company