PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, Hawaii, Nov. 6, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- - In a first-of-its-kind dual missile defense test, two Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-built Standard Missile-3s, fired from a U.S. Navy ship, simultaneously intercepted and destroyed two short-range ballistic missile targets in space, Nov. 6.

This was the first time a Navy ship demonstrated simultaneous engagements against ballistic missile targets outside the earth's atmosphere. These were the 10th and 11th successful intercepts for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system's SM-3.

The crew of the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) fired both SM-3 Block IA intercepting missiles, while personnel at the Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai launched the ballistic missile targets.

"These successful intercepts add to SM-3's impressive flight test record and are a clear demonstration of Raytheon's commitment to Mission Assurance," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon's vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. "SM-3 plays a vital role in protecting our nation against the threat of ballistic missiles."

SM-3 is being developed as part of the Missile Defense Agency's sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missiles will be deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. Raytheon also is developing the kinetic warhead for SM-3.

Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is producing SM-3 and leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant Techsystems, Aerojet and The Boeing Company. The kinetic warhead seeker and final integration occur in Raytheon's state-of-the-art kill vehicle space manufacturing facility in Tucson, alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, an element of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program. Final assembly and testing of SM-3 occurs at Raytheon's Camden, Ark., facility.

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 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.

  Note to Editors:
  Raytheon's missile defense hit-to-kill successes:
  Standard Missile-3           Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle
  Jan. 25, 2002                Oct. 2, 1999
  June 13, 2002                July 13, 2001
  Nov. 21, 2002                Dec. 3, 2001
  Dec. 11, 2003                March 15, 2002
  Feb. 24, 2005                Oct. 14, 2002
  Nov. 17, 2005                Sept. 1, 2006
  June 22, 2006                Sept. 28, 2007
  April 26, 2007
  June 22, 2007
  Nov. 6, 2007

  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/