WALTHAM, Mass., March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Board of Directors has voted to increase the company's annual dividend payout rate by 16 percent, from $1.72 to $2.00 per share. The Board also authorized payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per outstanding share of common stock, to be paid on May 3, 2012, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 4, 2012. Payment of quarterly dividends is subject to Board authorization.

"This marks the eighth consecutive year that we have raised our dividend," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon's Chairman and CEO. "This dividend increase reflects our confidence in the company's future, and represents our continued dedication to a balanced capital deployment strategy made possible by Raytheon's strong financial position."

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.

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SOURCE Raytheon Company