TUCSON, Ariz., April 5, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IV with control systems upgrades was successfully flight tested against a subsonic target at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., Feb. 16. The upgrades will provide the U.S. Navy with improved performance at a lower cost.

The SM-2 Block IV upgrade includes a new steering control section, new thrust vector actuator assembly for the boost rocket motor and a new primary missile battery as well as upgrades to the guidance and control software. The upgrade was completed as part of a value engineering project at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. The improvement will result in a significant cost reduction of the missile.

"We see these upgrades as a good investment for the company. The result is a more producible Standard Missile-2 with better performance and improved reliability at a reduced cost," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon vice president of Naval Weapon Systems.

SM-2 is launched from cruisers and destroyers. The missile has enhanced precision and kinematics throughout the threat envelope as well as improved countermeasures performance.

The SM-2 Block IV upgrades are applicable to all extended-range Standard Missile variants, including SM-3 and SM-6.

"These enhancements will be used to rocket SM-3 into space to protect against the threat of ballistic missiles and on SM-6 to help protect navies around the world," said Miyashiro. "The upgrades successfully tested will help those other programs succeed."

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:
   John Patterson
   520.794.4559

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: John Patterson of Raytheon Company, +1-520-794-4559

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