EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 11, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- An effort to promote participation in defense contracts by businesses owned by Native Americans has been launched by Raytheon Company and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED).

The purpose of the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, located at the headquarters of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS), is to help Native American suppliers win business from Raytheon and other defense contractors. For the past five years, the value of Raytheon subcontracts with businesses owned by American Indians has exceeded $75 million annually.

"Raytheon enjoys a long-standing relationship with the National Center," said Dina Hyde, vice president for supply chain at SAS. "We are engaged in an extensive effort to increase procurement opportunities for businesses owned by Native American individuals and tribes. We are looking forward to this partnership to strengthen our ability to identify and work with more Native American firms."

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded primarily by the Defense Logistics Agency. SAS provides in-kind support, use of its facilities and some funding.

"The center represents a great partnership among the Native American community, Raytheon and the Department of Defense," said Ken Robbins, president and chief executive officer of the NCAIED. "This is a huge step in the economic progression of American Indian communities that will be served by the center."

The NCAIED is the first national organization dedicated solely to developing American Indian self-sufficiency through business ownership. It has nine offices throughout the U.S. More information is available at http://www.ncaied.org/ or at (800) 462-2433, extension 243.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is the leading provider of sensor systems giving military forces the most accurate and timely information available for the network-centric battlefield. With 2005 revenues of $4.2 billion and 13,000 employees, SAS is headquartered in El Segundo, Calif. Additional facilities are in Goleta, Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several international locations.

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
    Faith Jennings
    310.334.2553 office
    310.977.1963 mobile
    faith_jennings@raytheon.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Conpany

CONTACT: Faith Jennings of Raytheon Company, +1-310-334-2553 office, or
+1-310-977-1963 mobile, faith_jennings@raytheon.com

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