TUCSON, Ariz., May 31, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered its first Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) Block II -- a new variant offering significantly lower unit costs and an additional payload option.

"This delivery is the culmination of an effort that began three years ago to significantly reduce the cost of this weapon," said John O'Brien, Raytheon's JSOW Block II program director. "This achievement represents many long hours and hard work by the entire JSOW team, including the U.S. government and our suppliers."

Block II maintains the standoff and survivability attributes of the current JSOW and includes an improved anti-jam capability. Block II uses an advanced Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided inertial navigation system that integrates the Raytheon Advanced Protection Technology Receiver and Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module.

Block II continues to maintain JSOW's low radar cross section and infrared signature. These are key stealth features that ensure a high probability of JSOW survival en route to highly defended targets.

Raytheon is under contract with U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to produce Block II JSOW-C missiles for the Navy and Marine Corps. The Block II unit cost has been reduced by more than 25 percent through airframe redesign to a major single piece, use of less expensive components, advanced technology and a reduction in the number of parts. JSOW's shelf life has also been significantly increased, eliminating major life-cycle costs.

"The Block II program enables me to provide more weapons with the required capability to the fleet within the same budget," said Captain Mat Winter, Navy JSOW program manager. "JSOW Block II is clearly a model program for unit cost savings."

In 2005 the Block II cost-reduction initiatives earned JSOW the Department of Defense David Packard Award for Excellence in Acquisition.

Development of a new payload option for the JSOW-A is also part of the Block II program. This new version uses a 500-pound BLU-111 (MK-82) warhead and is designated the AGM-154A-1. This unitary variant eliminates concerns about unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions while maintaining the required effectiveness against a broad target set. It is primarily intended for the international market.

A joint Navy and Air Force program, JSOW is a family of low-cost, air-to- ground weapons that employs an integrated GPS and inertial navigation system to guide them to the target. The JSOW uses a common and modular weapon body capable of carrying various payloads. Its long standoff range, up to 70 nautical miles (approximately 80.5 statute miles), allows delivery from well outside the lethal range of most enemy air defenses. It is produced for use on the F/A-18, F-16, F-15E, B-2 and B-52 aircraft.

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 85 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:
  Jon Allen
  520.794.8580

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Jon Allen of Raytheon Company, +1-520-794-8580

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