TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 8, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was awarded a contract from Naval Sea Systems Command and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) SEASPARROW Project Office for the company's MK 57 and MK 29 NATO SEASPARROW missile systems.

Under the contract, maximum value of $21.5 million, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will develop, test and deliver the launcher systems, components and support that enable critical self-defense capabilities for U.S. and allied navy surface ships.

"Raytheon's NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System (NSSMS) solution is a prime example of the results that can be achieved by partnering with the Navy and responding to its needs and requirements," said Dan Martin, IDS vice president of Maritime Mission Systems. "As a result of our customer-focused partnership, our NSSMS is delivering a flexible and affordable integrated self-defense system that provides advanced capabilities at a reduced total ownership cost -- a mission solution that meets the needs of the warfighter and the budget."

The MK 57 NSSMS is the primary self-defense weapons system installed on naval aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. As the prime contractor and mission systems integrator for the MK 57 NSSMS, IDS provides the hardware and processing required for launch and control of the U.S. Navy's SEASPARROW and Evolved SEASPARROW self defense missiles.

The upgraded MK 57 NSSMS integrates state-of-the-art commercial off-the-shelf hardware for processing and displays and state-of-the-art microprocessors for signal processing. It also integrates new solid state transmitter technology to create an open system fully compatible with the Navy Standard Command and Control integrated ship defense suite (formerly known as IDS' Ship Self Defense System Mk 2), while providing the enhancements needed to allow full use of the capabilities of the new Evolved SEASPARROW Missile.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a strong international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. armed forces.

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.

  Contact:
  Carolyn Beaudry
  401.842.3550

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Carolyn Beaudry of Raytheon Company, +1-401-842-3550

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