TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 19, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $7.7 million U.S. Navy contract for the low rate initial production of three AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization Systems (AMNS). The contract follows a successful "Milestone C" review in which the system's design was validated by the Navy and approved to advance to low rate initial production.

AMNS, an essential component of the Navy's organic mine countermeasures family of systems, is deployed by the MH-60S multi-mission helicopter to locate and destroy underwater anti-shipping mines previously detected by Raytheon's AN/AQS-20A mine hunting sonar system. Both AMNS and AN/AQS-20A provide critical capabilities that make seaborne mine clearance missions significantly more effective, efficient and safe.

"With AN/AQS-20A and AMNS, we are providing the Navy with an end-to-end solution -- detect to neutralize -- the leading operational capability for the organic mine warfare mission," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Charles "Tom" Bush, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. "These tested and proven technologies bring outstanding capabilities to this mission while successfully removing the sailors and the ship from the dangers of the minefield."

AMNS consists of a helicopter-based control console, as well as a launch and handling system (LHS) equipped with four unmanned Archerfish™ neutralizer vehicles that destroy mines via remote control from the operator in the helicopter.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems is the prime production supplier for the AMNS program, working closely with its international partner, BAE Systems, Waterlooville, U.K., the producer of the Archerfish and the system's deployment mechanism.

Under the contract, Raytheon will assemble, test and deliver three LHS units for AMNS, as well as support equipment. Work will be performed at Raytheon's Seapower Capability Center, Portsmouth, R.I.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

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.

  Contact:
  Carolyn Beaudry
  401.842.3550

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Carolyn Beaudry of Raytheon Company, +1-401-842-3550

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