TUCSON, Ariz., June 2, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy has successfully demonstrated a Raytheon Company dual-mode precision guided weapon that offers flexibility not found in other weapons systems being produced.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 aircraft dropped Enhanced Paveway(TM) IIs at its China Lake Test Range, Calif., May 17 and 31. The testing included deploying four EGBU-12 Paveways with 500-pound warheads. Two were dropped significantly off axis and beyond the range of current GPS (Global Positioning System) weapons in the inventory.

Enhanced Paveway II features a GPS-aided Inertial Navigation System as well as a laser guidance system to offer one precision guided weapon for all situations. The resulting dual-mode capability offers true all-weather operational flexibility not found in other weapons systems being produced: GPS guidance for poor weather conditions and precise laser guidance when required for mobile targets of opportunity.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Turko, program lead test pilot, said, "Impressive turn" after seeing the weapon's high maneuverability following release for the off-boresite drop.

Preliminary results indicate all four weapons readily met the test's specified accuracy requirement, with two scoring direct hits. This result continues a 25-for-25, 100 percent demonstrated accuracy and reliability in test flights on United Kingdom Tornados and Harriers, French Super Etendards and now the Navy F/A-18 Hornet.

The tests also verified that the Enhanced Paveway II can be operationally utilized on the F/A-18 without modification to the existing aircraft hardware or software. The Enhanced Paveway II kits are manufactured at Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz.

"Enhanced Paveway II offers U.S. warfighters a single weapon that is already in production that can be used in all weather conditions against a variety of targets. It offers warfighters improved capabilities and flexibility over what is currently in the Navy's arsenal," said Duane Gooden, Raytheon's Paveway program manager. "These tests continue to demonstrate the high accuracy and reliability that Raytheon's Enhanced Paveway II is known for around the world and shows why Enhanced Paveway II was chosen as the dual mode weapon of choice for the U.K., Denmark, Spain and other international customers."

Enhanced Paveway II is a proven weapon that has already been fully integrated on the Tornado, Harrier and Super Etendard fighter aircraft and integration is under way on the F/A 18, F-16, AMX fighter/bomber, Eurofighter and Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Used successfully by the U.S. Air Force and the U.K. Royal Air Force during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Raytheon's Enhanced Paveway dual mode GPS/laser guided muntions are the only fully developed, combat proven dual mode weapon systems in production today.

The Paveway bomb kits turn conventional "dumb" bombs into precision guided weapons. The Enhanced Paveway II, the in-production next generation of the successful product line, features a GPS-aided INS combined with a laser guidance system that works well in all weather conditions with the capability to hit mobile targets of opportunity. Existing Paveway II laser guided bomb kits already in inventory can be upgraded with the GPS/INS package. This added capability makes 100 percent of the inventory 100 percent effective.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

   Contact:
   Alan D. Fischer
   520.794.1211

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/