SINGAPORE, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than two decades, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has formally restarted production of the laser-guided Maverick missile, with the first weapon expected to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force in late 2012.

Production began following a rigorous U.S. Air Force and Navy Developmental Testing/Operational Testing program that culminated in a production contract in late 2011.

"The combat-proven laser Maverick has demonstrated its effectiveness against frigate size ships, small moving boats, tanks, fortified personnel and fast moving maneuvering vehicles in excess of 70 miles per hour," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "We are focused on getting laser-guided Maverick to the U.S. warfighter, and hope to also provide this weapon to U.S. allies since it is available via both Direct Commercial Sales and Foreign Military Sales."

During DT/OT, U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aviators fired 15 AGM-65E2/L laser-guided Maverick missiles at moving and stationary targets, some of which were moving in excess of 70 miles per hour (110 km). The weapons were fired from F-16s, A-10s, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harriers.

About the Maverick Family of Missiles
The laser-guided Maverick missile is a direct-attack, air-to-ground precision munition used extensively by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps in ongoing combat operations. The AGM-65E2/L has an enhanced laser seeker and new software that reduces the risk of collateral damage.

• Maverick is integrated on 25 aircraft and in the inventory of 33 nations.
• Maverick has been used in combat thousands of times.
• The AGM-65E2/L can use onboard, buddy and ground-based lasing to designate targets.
• The laser-guided Maverick can hit land- and sea-based moving targets that are traveling faster than 70 miles per hour.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2011 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 90 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 71,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

Note to Editors
AGM-65L is the designation for the U.S. Air Force's new Laser Maverick; AGM-65E2 is the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps' designation for their new Laser Maverick missile.

In December 2011, the U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $25 million contract to restart production of the laser-guided Maverick missile. In addition to using $15 million of appropriated funding to pay for production, the U.S. government also used $10 million worth of credits generated via Foreign Military Sales of refurbished weapons.

Media Contact
Mike Nachshen
1.520.269.5697
rmspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company