TUCSON, Ariz., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Navy have teamed to successfully complete a major update to Standard Missile-2 (SM-2). The improvement, called a "Maneuverability Upgrade," provides SM-2 with substantially increased performance against new, anti-ship weapons while delivering increased capability to the warfighter.

"We cannot afford to rest on our laurels or be content with our current capability," said Capt. Tim Batzler, U.S. Navy Standard Missile program manager. "Our sailors deserve the best we can give them, and this upgrade provides that."

The team included representatives from the U.S. Navy Standard Missile program office and Naval Weapons Station/Seal Beach and a cross-section of manufacturing and engineering employees from Raytheon Missile Systems. Team members worked to develop, produce and validate the performance upgrade to the weapon. The improvement strengthens Standard Missile's position as the world's premier ship area air defense weapon.

"The success of this endeavor is another example of Raytheon's focus on teaming with the customer to provide a needed solution. Every member of this team, whether wearing a U.S. Navy uniform or a Raytheon badge, was committed to completing this project as quickly as possible and getting this capability to our sailors in the fleet," said Ron Shields, Raytheon's Standard Missile program director.

Standard Missile has been the U.S. Navy's primary surface-to-air fleet air defense weapon for more than three decades. It is the most technically advanced and the most capable air defense missile in the world. SM-2 is operational on guided missile cruisers, destroyers and frigates in the U.S. Navy and is in operation with 13 allied navies.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning more than 80 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 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/