TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $241 million contract modification for continued engineering design and development work on the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA.

The SM-3 Block IIA is a co-development effort between the U.S. and Japan and the cornerstone of phase three of the administration's Phased Adaptive Approach. The SM-3 Block IIA's larger rocket motors and advanced kinetic warhead will allow for a greater defended area, protecting both the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missiles.

"The co-development of the SM-3 Block IIA with our Japanese allies continues to be an industry-leading example of global partnership," said Wes Kremer, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air and Missile Defense Systems product line. "The SM-3 Block IIA is on track for a 2018 deployment."

SM-3 is being developed as part of the Missile Defense Agency's sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missiles are deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. Raytheon has delivered more than 130 SM-3s to U.S. and Japanese navies ahead of schedule and under cost.

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
In November, Raytheon Company selected Aerojet for the development of a new, more advanced Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System for the SM-3 Block IIA. Aerojet was selected after a challenging series of engineering tests demonstrated the feasibility of the system's design. Essentially a rocket motor with 10 nozzles, the TDACS's precision propulsion enables the kinetic warhead to intercept an incoming ballistic missile. 

Media Contact
Heather Uberuaga
520.891.8421
rmspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company