WARMINSTER, U.K., July 29, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- UK Javelin, developed and produced by the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture for the U.K.'s Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon program, has been declared operational four months ahead of schedule.

The announcement was made during a live-fire demonstration yesterday witnessed by industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials at Warminster. Officials said the early in-service date demonstrates the successful close working relationship on this venture between the U.S. Department of Defense and Army, the U.K. MoD, and the Javelin Joint Venture.

"Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and all of our U.K. team members have put tremendous effort into ensuring Javelin's smooth and rapid entry into service with the British Army and Royal Marines," said Michael Crisp, president, Javelin Joint Venture. "We have been totally customer-focused in this program. The Javelin system is already the world's leading medium range man- portable fire-and-forget multi-purpose system, and it brings superb new capabilities to the U.K.'s armed forces."

"Warfighters depend upon Javelin's precision-strike capability," added Howard Weaver, vice president, Javelin Joint Venture, "We are committed to providing our U.K. customer with cost-effective, global support to ensure Javelin's continued mission success."

U.K. industry has been heavily involved in the Javelin program, bringing about $623 million into 14 companies throughout the country.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion USD, is an industry leader in defence 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.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) employs 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

   For information contact:
   Raytheon                                      Lockheed Martin
   Stephanie Ayres                               Sarah Crowder
   +44 (0)20 7569 5516                           +44 (0)020 7798 2856
   Stephanie.Ayres@raytheon.co.uk                Sarah.Crowder@lmco.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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