WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 15, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) board of directors has elected Admiral Vern Clark, U.S. Navy (Ret.), 61, to the board. With the election of Clark, the Raytheon board is comprised of 12 directors.

Clark joins the Raytheon board following 37 years of distinguished military service, culminating with his appointment in July 2000 as the 27th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). Upon his retirement in September 2005, Clark became the second longest serving CNO in history.

Clark's Navy experience includes having served more than half his career in command starting with a patrol gunboat as a lieutenant and concluding as the Chief of Naval Operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In between he served in increasingly senior assignments with two destroyer squadrons, the Atlantic Fleet's Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, a carrier battle group, the Second Fleet -- NATO's striking fleet, and the Atlantic Fleet.

Clark has received numerous military decorations for his service, including four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, three Navy Distinguished Service Medals, and three awards of the Legion of Merit. He has also been honored with two Distinguished Service Medals received from the Army and Air Force, as well as recognition from a number of international allied countries.

Clark earned his undergraduate degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, and an MBA from the University of Arkansas. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from the University of Toledo and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Old Dominion University.

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
   Steve Brecken
   781.522.5127

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Steve Brecken of Raytheon Company, +1-781-522-5127

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