CHINA LAKE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) demonstrated its latest variant of the combat-proven Griffin^® missile, the Griffin Block III, throughout a series of test shots culminating in several direct hits against a variety of static and moving targets.

"The Griffin is already well known for its ability to destroy targets with pin-point accuracy using an advanced GPS and semi-active laser guidance. The Griffin Block III introduces an improved semi-active laser seeker and a new Multi-Effects Warhead System that maximizes the weapon's lethality against a variety of targets," said Mike Jarrett, vice president of Air Warfare Systems with Raytheon Missile Systems. "Block III's enhancements will improve the warfighter's ability to engage a broad set of static and fast-moving targets with assured confidence and greater performance."

The Griffin missile's new seeker adds enhanced electronics and signal processing to improve performance in the most challenging scenarios and expands the employment footprint. Production of the Griffin Block III missile is currently underway and the company expects it to serve as the core weapon for current and future Griffin users.

About Griffin
The Griffin missile is a multi-platform, multi-service weapon with a proven track record for successful rapid integration on land, sea and air assets. The Griffin AGM-176A is an aft-eject missile designed for employment from platforms such as the C-130 aircraft. Griffin BGM-176B is a forward-firing missile that launches from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, ground-launch applications and maritime platforms. The weapon's flexible employment options of point detonate, delayed, and height of burst fuzing maximize user flexibility.  The Griffin air vehicle is 43 inches long, weighs 33 pounds, utilizes a 13-pound warhead and is in production today.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 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 cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Media Contact
John B. Patterson
+1.520.794.4559

rmspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company