LONDON, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and its German industry partner, RAMSYS, completed missile upgrades and integration testing as part of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 program. The partnership completed five control test vehicle flights and met all upgrade requirements for Block 2.

RAM Block 2 features enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio frequency receiver, a new rocket motor and an upgraded autopilot system. These improvements enable the missile to outpace evolving threats.

"The next-generation RAM will provide the naval warfighter with an improved ship defense capability," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Weapon Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.

RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile providing defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne threats, and hostile surface craft.

The program will begin guided flight tests later this year and is expected to enter low rate production in late 2012.

For more than 35 years, the U.S. and Germany have worked together developing and maintaining RAM. Development, production work and funding are shared between Raytheon and RAMSYS.

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.

www.raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company