TEWKSBURY, Mass., Aug. 1, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) has appointed Tom Vecchiolla vice president of Business Development and Strategy.

"Tom will be responsible for developing and executing growth strategies for IDS while building on relationships with government and industry partners," said IDS President Dan Smith. "He is a proven performer who has already grown our business and developed key relationships with our partners."

Vecchiolla joined IDS in 2002 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility in Business Development including director, Sea Based Capabilities. He most recently served as the director of Strategy and Government Relations where he established a team responsible for developing and coordinating congressional relations.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Vecchiolla led efforts for government applications in the information technology industry. He served as a legislative assistant to Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, for national security and military affairs.

Vecchiolla served in the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot and acquisition professional. He holds a master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.

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, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

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:
  Guy Shields
  978.858.5246

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Guy Shields of Raytheon Company, +1-978-858-5246

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