GOLETA, Calif., May 23, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company recently completed production and delivery of its 20,000th ALE-50 towed decoy for the U.S. Air Force Electronic Warfare Product Group, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga.

The ALE-50 decoy system significantly enhances aircraft survivability. It protects aircraft and crew from radar-guided missiles by acting as a more attractive target that lures the missiles away from the aircraft and toward the decoy. Operational on F-16, F/A-18 and B-1B aircraft, Raytheon's towed decoys are combat-proven and have performed successfully in several military conflicts.

"The ALE-50 has been credited with numerous aircraft saves, and our pilots depend on it," said Col. Art Huber, commander of the 542nd Combat Sustainment Group at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, which manages the ALE-50 program for the Air Force. "The ALE-50 has been a reliable performer for many years, and all of Raytheon's production deliveries have been on time or ahead of schedule. The fact that we are accepting the 20,000th delivery is a testament to its value to our Air Force."

Production of the ALE-50 began in December 1996. Work on the towed decoy system is being done at Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business by its Electronic Warfare Systems organization, Goleta, Calif.

"We've been dedicated to protecting the warfighter for 50 years," said Pat Hurley, vice president and general manager of Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems. "The longevity of our business and of the ALE-50 program attests to our high-performing products and laser-like focus on serving the customer. The performance of the ALE-50 and the people who produce it are benchmarks we continually aspire to meet."

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is the leading provider of sensor systems giving warfighters 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:
   Ron Colman
   805-879-2041

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Ron Colman of Raytheon, +1-805-879-2041

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