TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 19, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company Precision Attack Air-to-Surface Missile (PAASM) was successfully launched Dec. 13 from a rotary-winged, unmanned aerial vehicle (UH-1) at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

The missile was fired from a standard M299 digital launcher and met planned test objectives. Upon receiving the launch command, the PAASM missile successfully ignited and separated from the M299 launcher and transitioned into stable flight.

The demonstration validated the capability of the Raytheon team to configure and integrate the missile system onto a standard, digital single rail M299 launcher and satisfy standoff range and environmental requirements for a helicopter/UAV extended-range, precision air-to-surface missile.

"The Raytheon demonstration was a significant milestone for the team as PAASM provides an alternative, low cost missile solution to existing joint, extended range, rotary wing precision strike requirements," said Ken Pedersen, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president, Advanced Programs. "Additionally, Apache Block 2/3, ARH, AH-1Z, Warrior, Predator B and Future Combat System's Unmanned Aerial Systems will all be 'net enabled' platforms and will be able to fully utilize the networked capability of PAASM."

PAASM is a joint, multi-platform, precision strike missile designed to engage and destroy stationary, re-locatable and moving targets ranging from buildings and bunkers to tactical vehicles and advanced armor. The weapon is also optimized to fight in today's urban and complex terrain environment and destroy naval targets such as patrol craft. PAASM could be available in production as early as 2009 to support modern, tri-service rotary wing, UAV and special operations platforms.

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.

  News release Contact:
  Chandra Stewart
  520.794.8580

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Chandra Stewart of Raytheon, +1-520-794-8580

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