TEWKSBURY, Mass., Dec. 12, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has successfully completed the so-called Delta Interim Detailed Design Review for the DDG 1000 Integrated Deckhouse and Apertures (IDHA) Element.

The DDG 1000 is the Navy's next generation multi-mission destroyer.

The IDHA Element is responsible for the integration design of apertures into the DDG 1000 composite deckhouse. The apertures comprise a system of antenna arrays for functions such as radars and communications that are to be mounted flush on the deckhouse. Flush mounting of these advanced arrays allows the ship to meet the stringent stealth requirements that make it such an effective multi-mission vessel.

The review, which took place at the Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) Sensors and Surveillance Center in Sudbury, Mass., confirmed that all design and performance requirements were clearly defined and that the design is sufficient to meet those requirements.

The successful completion of this milestone allows the IDHA Element to begin the detailed design phase, moving the program closer to production. Fabrication - and ultimately installation of the apertures - is set to begin in mid-2008, after the production readiness review in late-2007.

"The fact that this critical step was successfully completed on schedule can be attributed to the teamwork between the Navy and industry, as well as team dedication," said Ed Geisler, Raytheon vice president and DDG 1000 program manager. Geisler is responsible for all IDHA activity.

Under the Navy's DDG 1000 Detail Design and Integration contract awarded in 2005, Raytheon IDS serves as the prime mission systems equipment integrator for all electronic and combat systems for the DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer program.

Based in Tewksbury, Mass., Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration. With a strong international and domestic customer base, Raytheon IDS provides a wide spectrum of integrated air and missile defense and naval and maritime warfighting solutions.

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:
  Chuck Larrabee
  978-858-4259

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Chuck Larrabee of Raytheon Company, +1-978-858-4259

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