TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 26, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is one of only four companies recognized as a recipient of the 2006 Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Award for its commitment to recruit, train, hire and promote individuals with disabilities.

Introduced in 2001, the NFI Award honors exemplary and innovative efforts to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of community life, including employment. As an award recipient, Raytheon demonstrated how it developed and implemented a multi-faceted program directed toward increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities through increased access to assistive technologies and the use of innovative training, hiring, and retention techniques.

"Raytheon recognizes difference as a core company value," said Hayward Bell, Raytheon's chief diversity officer. "We want to maximize individual strengths, and we do not see mental or physical disabilities as a barrier to full participation in our work force."

As part of its nomination, Raytheon highlighted its support of Employee Resource Groups including the Raytheon Persons with DisAbilities Association; educational partnerships that support recruitment; specialized training and services including interpreters; as well as community outreach to promote awareness.

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:
  David Albritton   or   Chandra Stewart
  703.332.9914           520.794.8580

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: David Albritton, +1-703-332-9914, or Chandra Stewart,
+1-520-794-8580

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