TUCSON, Ariz., June. 12, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company has joined with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Ericsson Microwave Systems to compete for the Estonian Very Short Range Air Defense Missile System (VSHORADMS), a networked-enabled, air defense system for the protection of Estonian ground forces and other select strategic assets.

Raytheon, Kongsberg and Ericcson have named this collaborative effort the Raytheon Nordic team. Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Ariz., will serve as the prime contractor, provide the missiles and launchers for the air defense system and conduct the mission systems integration. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace of Billingstad, Norway, will provide the C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems) for the competitive offering. Ericsson Microwave Systems of Gothenburg, Sweden, will deliver the tracking and surveillance radar systems.

"We have assembled a team of defense leaders to provide the Estonian Ministry of Defense with a competitive bid that delivers a decisive advantage on today's battlefield," said Jim Riley, Raytheon Land Combat product line vice president. "The Raytheon Nordic team has the advantage of battle-proven missiles operated with state-of-the-art European defense technology and integrated by an industry leader that has complete understanding of today's networked battlespace."

The Estonian Ministry of Defense currently is reviewing the various competitive bids for the VSHORADMS, and the Estonian government will decide on the contract sometime in late summer 2006.

"The Raytheon Nordic team can assure the Estonian customer that it is delivering a low-risk option through the integration of proven, off-the-shelf systems," said Harald Annestad, vice president Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. "Our open architecture enables interoperability and growth delivered from a team with a long-standing relationship, comprehensive air-defense experience and a unique understanding of the European defense customer."

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:
  Everett Tackett, APR
  520.794.9494

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Everett Tackett of Raytheon Company, +1-520-794-9494

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