GARLAND, Texas, Dec. 6, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has attained a Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) Level 3 rating across its Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) enterprise for systems engineering, software engineering, integrated product and process development and supplier sourcing. With this success, IIS reached a benchmark that only 3.5 percent of all appraisals recorded by the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (SEI) meet.

"For an enterprise of this size to achieve Maturity Level 3 against the full scope of the model is extremely rare. Raytheon IIS is in a very elite position," said Ray Kile, SEI Certified High Maturity Lead Appraiser, from The Center for Systems Management.

"Achieving CMMI Level 3 is a critical element of the IIS business strategy," said Michael D. Keebaugh, president of Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems business. "We see this achievement as a competitive discriminator for the company and a significant benefit to our customers. Further, it underscores that IIS is a leader in driving customer success through efficient program execution built on integrated common processes. "This was an ambitious undertaking, and I am very proud of the men and women of Raytheon for this outstanding achievement."

CMMI is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes. It can be used to guide process improvement across a project, a division, or an entire organization. CMMI helps integrate traditionally separate organizational functions, set process improvement goals and priorities, provide guidance for quality processes, and provide a point of reference for appraising current processes.

Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems has operations in Aurora, Colo.; Falls Church, Va.; Garland, Texas; Linthicum, Md.; Omaha, Neb.; Reston, Va.; and State College, Pa.

Raytheon IIS, with 2005 sales of $2.5 billion, is a leading provider of information and intelligence solutions to the government. IIS provides the right knowledge at the right time to enable its customers to make timely and accurate decisions of national significance.

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:
  Keith D. Little
  703.849.1675

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Keith D. Little of Raytheon Company, +1-703-849-1675

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