TUCSON, Ariz., May 19, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $7 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for a risk reduction demonstration associated with the evolving Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) program. NCADE is a missile defense system that will affordably leverage operational tactical missile technologies and infrastructure.

The 12-month Raytheon effort will focus on propulsion systems and seeker enhancements as part of the overall NCADE system capability. Successful results of the effort will be evaluated by MDA to determine applicability to a dynamic, cost-effective capability development program.

"NCADE is proposed as an affordable boost- and ascent-phase intercept system that complements other MDA defensive capabilities focused on the protection of the continental United States and its allies against shorter range and asymmetric threat missiles," said Michael Booen, Raytheon vice president of Advanced Missile Defense and Directed Energy Weapons. "Successful completion of this risk reduction effort will offer MDA confidence it can have a near-term capability."

Work on this contract will be performed at Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz. Aerojet will perform propulsion work at its Redmond, Wash., location.

Raytheon Company, 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.

Note to editors:

Raytheon is the leader in missile defense interceptors for both ground- and sea-based programs. Raytheon's hit-to-kill successes with the sea-based Standard Missile-3, part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program, occurred Jan. 25, June 13 and Nov. 21, 2002, Dec. 11, 2003, and Feb. 24 and Nov. 17, 2005; and with the Ground-based Missile Defense program Oct. 2, 1999; July 13 and Dec. 3, 2001; and March 15 and Oct. 14, 2002.

  Contact:
  Sara Hammond
  520.794.7810

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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