TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) modernized Patriot Air and Missile Defense System successfully fired two PAC-3 missiles to engage a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. This is the first time PAC-3 missiles have been fired from a new-production Patriot system.

"The demonstrated flawless performance of the modernized Patriot system means our customers can deliver the most advanced air and missile defense capabilities to warfighters quickly, affordably and with lower risk exposure," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "With Patriot now in full-rate production, they can also expect improved reliability and reduced costs for decades to come."

This test comes on the heels of the successful system-level guided flight test of the new-production Patriot system on March 21 and the successful test of the first ground-up production GEM-T missile (Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical) announced in October 2011 -- all further proof of modernized Patriot system's high performance and reliability with both GEM-T and PAC-3 missiles.

About Patriot
Patriot is the world's most capable air and missile defense system, protecting against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is the system of choice for 12 nations around the globe.

Raytheon is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.

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.

Media Contact
Dave Howell
978.858.5854
idspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company