TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 28, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raytheon Company- developed Enhanced Precision Attack Missile (EPAM) seeker has been transitioned to the baseline seeker for the Non Line of Sight -- Launch System Precision Attack Missile (PAM).

The EPAM seeker is a dual-mode unit using uncooled imaging infrared technology coupled with a semi-active laser. The EPAM seeker incorporates numerous improvements from the initial seeker designed, developed and successfully demonstrated during the predecessor Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency-sponsored NetFires program. The EPAM seeker was funded by Army Science and Technology through the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center.

The EPAM seeker improvements include an optics package that provides significant image and producibility enhancements. NLOS-LS is currently in the system development and demonstration phase of the program for the U. S. Army. Work under this contract began in 2004. The EPAM seeker will be built, assembled and tested at Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz.

"We're very pleased that the EPAM seeker has met and exceeded every design and performance parameter established by the program office for the Precision Attack Missile," said Scott Speet, executive vice president of NetFires LLC and NLOS-LS program director. "The EPAM seeker is just one part of ongoing, government-funded, seeker enhancement contracts for the PAM missile. Raytheon is also under contract to develop a tri-mode seeker for the PAM that will include millimeter wave technologies."

The NLOS-LS system consists of Raytheon's Precision Attack Missile (PAM), Lockheed Martin's Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) and a joint Container Launch Unit (CLU). In 2004, the Army accelerated fielding of the NLOS-LS and CLU to the Army's Evaluation Brigade Combat Team into Spin Out 1 in fiscal year 2008.

NLOS-LS provides a commander with immediate, precise and responsive fires on high payoff targets with real time target acquisition and battle effects. PAM is a direct attack missile that is effective against moving and stationary targets at ranges from zero to 40 km and effective against hard and soft targets. The missile includes a networked datalink that can be used for in- flight updates via ground and airborne sensor nodes and has a large multi-mode warhead effective against both hard and soft targets.

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:
   Sara Hammond
   520.794.7810

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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