TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Feb. 19, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile was employed in the Navy's Weapon System User program late last year.

The Weapons System User program focuses on examining cutting-edge tactical employment by the warfighter, and this event demonstrated the maturity of the AIM-9X weapon system. The AIM-9X has been fired more than 137 times in the past eight years by the developmental and operational test communities of the U.S. Navy and Air Force.

"This test shot demonstrates AIM-9X is a mature system that the tactical warfighter can successfully and reliably employ in combat," said Brock McCaman, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems Air-to-Air product line. "By partnering with the customer and evaluating the missile in a fleet environment, we can continue to improve the world's most capable short-range air-to-air missile."

During the test, the AIM-9X was fired by an F/A-18C Hornet from the Rampagers of the Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT THREE (VFA-83) against a QF-4 target drone. The missile successfully guided to the target and met all primary test objectives.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 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 72,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors:

AIM-9X is a launch-and-leave air combat missile that uses passive infrared energy for acquisition and tracking, which can be employed in near-beyond visual range and within visual range arenas. It has extremely high off- boresight capability, which gives a pilot first-shot, first-kill dominance. It provides greatly enhanced acquisition ranges in blue sky and clutter, and IR countermeasures deliver the capacity to resist ever-changing threats. The AIM- 9X has a highly agile airframe, and its fifth-generation seeker and thrust vectoring control provide unprecedented performance.

  Contact:
  Mike Nachshen
  520.794.4088
  520.269.5697 (Mobile)
  Michael_nachshen@raytheon.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Mike Nachshen of Raytheon Company, +1-520-794-4088,
Michael_nachshen@raytheon.com

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