PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, Hawaii, Dec. 17, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully flight tested its first Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-built Standard Missile-3. The SM-3 Block IA missile engaged and destroyed a medium-range ballistic missile target more than 60 miles above the Pacific Ocean.

Personnel at the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai launched the ballistic missile target while the crew of the Japanese destroyer JS KONGO (DDG-173) fired the intercepting missile.

"Today's intercept truly paves the way for Japan to deploy a sea-based ballistic missile defense system," said Ed Miyashiro, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president. "The U.S. has gained an important ally that can now defend itself against the threat of ballistic missiles."

During the test, the Japanese crew exchanged track information via satellite with U.S. naval assets, demonstrating missile defense interoperability between the two countries. This test was the 12th successful intercept for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system's SM-3.

Japan is working with Raytheon and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop and deploy the next-generation SM-3 Block IIA missile, which will provide a larger area of defense against more sophisticated threats.

SM-3 is being developed as part of the MDA'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's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., produces 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
  Dec. 17, 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/