TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force reached a Milestone C decision on Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Miniature Air Launched Decoy Jammer variant, authorizing Raytheon to begin Low Rate Initial Production of the system. The Air Force also exercised a contract option and awarded Raytheon $5 million to convert Lot 4 MALD® production of the baseline to the MALD-J variant.

"MALD-J will save the lives of aviators because commanders will be able to use MALD-J to conduct dangerous stand-in jamming missions instead of using manned aircraft to do the job," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "The 125 Raytheon employees who make MALD and the hundreds of suppliers across the nation who support MALD can be proud of their contribution to the warfighter."

About the Miniature Air Launched Decoy
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.

• MALD confuses enemy air defenses by duplicating friendly aircraft flight profiles, radar signatures.
• MALD-J keeps all capabilities of MALD and adds jamming capabilities.
• Raytheon will begin delivering MALD-J in 2012.

About Raytheon
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 about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

Note to Editors
More than 125 Raytheon employees design and build the MALD and MALD-J in Tucson, Ariz.; Goleta, Calif.; and El Segundo, Calif.

Hundreds of employees in scores of businesses across the U.S. design and manufacture MALD and MALD-J components. Major suppliers include: Microsemi, Camarillo, Calif.; AUSCO, Port Washington, N.Y.; Advanced Industries Inc., Wichita, Kan.; CEI, Sacramento, Calif.; Celestica, Austin, Texas; Eagle Pitcher, Joplin, Mo.; EDO, Bohemia, N.Y.; Enser, Pinellas Park, Fla.; Engineered Fabrics Corp, Rockmart, Ga.; GDOTS, Redmond, Wash.; Hamilton-Sundstrand, Rockford, Ill.; Hamilton-Sundstrand, San Diego; LaBarge, Joplin, Mo.; Moog, East Aurora, N.Y.; Tecom, Westlake Village, Calif.; Teledyne Microelectronics, Los Angeles; Daico, Carson, Calif.; Cobham, San Diego.

Media Contact
Mike Nachshen
+1.520.794.4088
rmspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company