TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 11, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company and Alliant Techsystems have successfully completed the second ground test of an advanced version of the Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS).

The SDACS' thrusters place the kinetic warhead (KW) used on Raytheon's Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1A in the path of the threat warhead to accomplish a lethal intercept. The ground testing is a step toward fully qualifying the advanced SDACS design for fleet deployment as part of sea-based missile defense.

The advanced SDACS design adds two individual burns to the current design's solid propellant sustain burn function for additional KW thrust and hit-to-kill maneuvering capacity.

The Design Verification Test - pulse 1 was conducted in a vacuum chamber test facility at Elkton, Md. The test included a full pulse burn to simulate the KW's approach and intercept of an enemy ballistic missile. Preliminary data indicates that all test objectives were achieved.

"This test was a major milestone on our path to providing full capability to the warfighter," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon vice president for Naval Weapon Systems. "It also confirms our deliberate spiral development and test philosophy to guarantee our customer 'no doubt' Mission Assurance."

"Once fully qualified, the pulsed SDACS developed by Raytheon and ATK will provide the U.S. Navy with the most advanced, forward-deployed missile intercept capability in the world," said Bart Olson, vice president and general manager, ATK Propulsion and Controls. "We look forward to completing the remaining tests so that we can bring this exciting new capability to the fleet as soon as possible."

Raytheon Company is the prime contractor for the SM-3. Boeing, Aerojet and ATK are the primary subcontractors on the program.

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.

ATK (NYSE: AKT) is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/.

Note to Editors:

Raytheon's missile defense hit-to-kill successes with the Standard Missile-3 occurred Jan. 25, June 13 and Nov. 21, 2002; Dec. 11, 2003; Feb. 24 and Nov. 17, 2005, and June 22, 2006. Successes with the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System occurred Oct. 2, 1999; July 13 and Dec. 3, 2001; and March 15 and Oct. 14, 2002.

  Contact:
  For Raytheon:                  For ATK:
  Sara Hammond                   Bryce Hallowell
  520.794.7810                   952.351.3087

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Sara Hammond of Raytheon, +1-520-794-7810; or Bryce Hallowell of
ATK, +1-952-351-3087

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