TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed successful back-to-back Tomahawk cruise missile flight tests that validated recent software improvements. The upgrades improve weapon system performance.

In the first test, the nuclear submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) fired a Tomahawk Block IV from the sub's vertical capsule launch system. The missile flew a pre-planned mission until a strike controller located at a maritime command center directed the Tomahawk to a new target.  The missile successfully demonstrated enhanced flex retargeting before striking the updated target at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake weapons range.

In the second test, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) launched a Tomahawk Block IV. The Tomahawk flew a series of pre-planned high altitude maneuvers demonstrating improved performance in this flight regime.  The missile completed a pre-planned vertical dive impacting a target on San Nicolas Island off the Southern California coast.

"These flight tests demonstrate how Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are working together to enhance this already sophisticated weapon," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "By constantly improving Tomahawk, we are helping to ensure that U.S. and allied warfighters have this critical capability far into the future."

About Tomahawk
The U.S. Navy has conducted more than 70 successful Tomahawk Block IV flight tests since 2006.  The cruise missile has been employed in combat more than 2000 times since it was introduced.  Tomahawk is the key weapon used by U.S. and British forces in defeating integrated air defense systems and striking heavily defended high value targets in support of national policy.

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