EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 7, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The Team Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) partnership of Raytheon and EADS CASA North America today submitted to the Army two intratheater lift proposals for the JCA requirement based on EADS CASA's family of combat-proven military transport aircraft -- the C-295 and CN-235. Both proposals offer the best value mission system for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, including both the combat-proven aircraft and accompanying world class logistics support.

Both proposals either meet or exceed the requirements laid out by the JCA program office. Additionally, the C-295 is the only two-engine aircraft in its class that can carry five pallets, providing additional flexibility for intratheater lift.

"With the recent achievement of 1,000,000 JCA-type flights, our Team JCA military aircraft offer an unmatched battlefield transport capability to the Army," said Jon Jones, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "The combined strengths of Raytheon and EADS CASA North America ensure that Team JCA will deliver what it promises -- combat-proven military aircraft, ready now to deliver to the last tactical mile."

"The submission of the Joint Cargo Aircraft RFP to the U.S. Army and Air Force is a significant milestone for Team JCA in providing a proven solution to meet the military need for a capable and cost effective intra-theatre lift aircraft," said Ralph Crosby, chairman and CEO, EADS North America. "We believe both our C-295 and CN-235 proposals meet or exceed the strategic and operational requirements of both."

The CN-235/C-295 military aircraft present the best operational and acquisition value for the Joint Cargo Aircraft mission, offering proven intratheater performance. Team JCA will effectively reach the last tactical mile of combat operations in support of U.S. military forces. More than 260 C-295s and CN-235s are deployed with more than 24 air forces worldwide, demonstrating interoperability and interdependence with NATO countries and U.S. allies. Both the CN-235 and C-295 are combat proven in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo with U.S. and coalition forces.

Earlier this year, Team JCA chose Mobile Regional Airport (MRA) in Alabama as the final assembly and delivery site for its proposed JCA solution. In addition, EADS CASA North America will establish at the MRA a new final delivery center for CN-235 and C-295 transport aircraft to be sold into the North American market. The new co-located facility will create more than 150 jobs at full-production rate if the Team JCA aircraft is selected.

Regardless of the outcome of the JCA competition, EADS CASA North America has designated the MRA facility as the new completion and delivery center for CN-235s and C-295s in North America. Construction on the new delivery center will begin during the second quarter of 2006.

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 special-mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

EADS CASA North America, a U.S. Corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS North America and the representative organization of EADS CASA in Spain. The company offers a complete range of military transport aircraft, including mission aircraft: from the heavy lifter A400M now under development to the reliable and worldwide known C-295, CN-235 and C-212. EADS CASA supports customers who operate more than 700 C-212s, CN 235s and C-295 military transport aircraft in 50 countries.

  Contact:
  Lorenzo Cortes
  310.334.4431

  Lawrence Stein (EADS North America)
  703.236.3326

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Lorenzo Cortes of Raytheon Company, +1-310-334-4431; or Lawrence
Stein of EADS North America, +1-703-236-3326

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