TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 7, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company and the NetFires Limited Liability Company (LLC), a company composed of Raytheon Missile Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, successfully passed a preliminary design review for the Non Line of Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS) Precision Attack Missile (PAM).

The successful completion of the PAM preliminary design review (PDR) represents the accomplishment of a significant milestone in meeting the design and performance parameters of the NLOS-LS PAM supporting FCS Spin Out 1. NLOS-LS is currently in the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the program for the Army.

Work under this contract began in 2004, and the PAM PDR was completed "right on schedule," said Scott Speet, executive vice president of the NetFires LLC and Raytheon's NLOS-LS program director. "The NLOS-LS PAM team, comprised of Raytheon and its component suppliers, worked very hard to meet this critical milestone, and this is a credit to the entire team."

The PAM missile, developed under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) NetFires program, successfully conducted numerous flight tests during the DARPA program. That program focused on innovative design and performance of a compact, networked, precision attack missile launched from a self contained, platform independent launcher. The demonstrated flight performance success of the PAM during the DARPA program supported transition to the Army SDD and the decision by the Army to accelerate fielding of the NLOS-LS PAM and Container Launch Unit (CLU).

"We're very pleased with the manner in which the NLOS-LS team worked to reach PDR. They have demonstrated a preliminary design that meets all design and performance requirements for the Precision Attack Missile," said Col. Doug Dever, the Army's NLOS-LS program manager.

The NLOS-LS system consists of Raytheon's Precision Attack Missile (PAM), Lockheed Martin's Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) and a joint CLU. In 2004, the Army made the decision to accelerate the Raytheon PAM and CLU for incorporation into the Army's Evaluation Brigade Combat Team, Spin Out 1."

The Navy entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Army in 2004 for the NLOS-LS system. The Navy has selected the NLOS-LS PAM and CLU for integration on the Littoral Combat Ship, which is also scheduled for delivery in fiscal year 2008. Successful completion of the PAM PDR is a major step along the development path to support both services requirements for the system.

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, bunkers and small boats. The missile includes a networked datalink that provides in-flight updates to each missile with ground and airborne sensor nodes and has a multi-mode warhead effective against both services' target sets.

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

CONTACT: Sara Hammond of Raytheon, +1-520-794-7810

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