TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 5, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raytheon Company-led team for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS™ II) program successfully demonstrated its semi-active laser seeker protection system during live-fire tests at the Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Oct. 20, 2005.

The tests were conducted using a standard U.S. Army M260 launcher from which 10 adjacent Hydra 70 rockets were fired, exposing the APKWS II seeker to multiple rocket motor blasts. The seeker protection system was effective in surviving the harsh environment, eliminating a key risk area before the start of the Army's system development and demonstration program.

"This critical technical accomplishment significantly reduces our APKWS II risk and highlights the Raytheon team's readiness to deliver this much needed capability to our nation's warfighters," said Raytheon APKWS II Capture Manager Richard Janik.

APKWS II will be a multi-service, multi-user, multi-platform system designed to engage and destroy stationary, re-locatable and moving targets ranging from buildings and bunkers to tactical vehicles. The weapon is also optimized to fight in today's urban and complex terrain environment and to destroy small naval targets such as patrol craft.

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.

Note to editors: "APKWS" is nomenclature and a trademark of the Department of the Army and is used with permission of the Army.

  Contact:
   Sara Hammond
   520.794.7810

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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