TEWKSBURY, Mass., Feb. 17, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) has appointed Merex Inc. as its exclusive licensee for HAWK Phase II and Phase III ground system components, spares and repairs. This partnership ensures that Raytheon's HAWK customers will have reliable whole life system support throughout the life of the system.

"This partnership demonstrates Raytheon's steadfast commitment to providing our HAWK customers with assured solutions and whole life system support to ensure the HAWK's legacy of reliable performance continues," said Skip Garrett, vice president for International Operations for IDS.

The HAWK is an all-weather, surface-to-air, medium-range/medium-altitude missile system in the arsenals of more than 15 countries, including most NATO countries, as a primary air defense weapon.

Merex, headquartered in Newbury Park, Calif., is a premier international logistics company providing support services to more than 35 countries worldwide.

Based in Tewksbury, Mass., Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration. With a strong international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. armed forces, Integrated Defense Systems provides a wide spectrum of integrated air and missile defense and naval and maritime warfighting solutions.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 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:
  Guy Shields
  978.858.5246

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SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Guy Shields of Raytheon Company, +1-978-858-5246

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