TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 20, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has successfully demonstrated the engine of Joint Standoff Weapon Extended Range (JSOW ER), a new low-cost extended-range missile.

The engine ground test of JSOW ER successfully evaluated a flush inlet design and overall engine performance and showed that engine performance matched simulation results. The inlet will maintain the missile's excellent low observable characteristics.

Hamilton Sundstrand manufactures the JSOW ER 150-pound thrust engine that will significantly increase the range of the battle-proven glide weapon.

Continued prototype design and testing will continue in 2007. A free flight is planned in 2008 with the potential for production in 2011.

"The objective of the JSOW ER program is to provide United States and international warfighters with a low-cost, extended-range missile," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Strike Weapons at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson. "We plan to offer the warfighter a 300 nautical mile (approximately 345 statute miles) weapon with a price goal of $350,000, far less expensive than similar capability weapons currently in the warfighter's inventory."

JSOW ER will enable additional mission areas than possible with the current Joint Standoff Weapon range of up to 70 nautical miles (approximately 80.5 statute miles), and additional payload options will also be considered with JSOW ER.

JSOW ER will also leverage the cost reduction initiatives that are being incorporated by the Block II and Block III efforts, which have resulted in the reduction of unit costs by more than 25 percent. The Joint Standoff Weapon was a 2005 winner of the U.S. Department of Defense David Packard Award for Excellence in Acquisition for Block II cost reduction initiatives.

The development of a Block III variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon has begun. Improvements will be included in the JSOW ER design. A weapons data link will be added to provide a moving target capability and the capability of in-flight communications. Missile health, status and position can be transmitted by the weapon up to the time of impact. The weapon can also receive in-flight target updates. The JSOW Block III, which will be designated AGM-154C-1, is scheduled for production in 2009.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 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 more than 80,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
  John Patterson
  520.794.4559

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: John Patterson of Raytheon Company, +1-520-794-4559

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