U.S. Navy and Raytheon Demonstrate Surface-to-Surface Evolved SeaSparrow Missile At-Sea Firing

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U.S. Navy and Raytheon Demonstrate Surface-to-Surface Evolved SeaSparrow Missile At-Sea Firing
    TUCSON, Ariz., May 30, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy, in
conjunction with Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), successfully completed an
at-sea firing of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile using the MK 57 MOD 12 fire
control system.
    The event marked the first Evolved SeaSparrow Missile firing from the
Navy's new Self Defense Test Ship, formerly USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964),
and was the first test of Evolved SeaSparrow Missile's improved
surface-to-surface capability against surface threats.
    The test also marked the first Evolved SeaSparrow Missile firing from
the MK 29 MOD 4, eight-cell trainable launcher that is being installed on
U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and select L-Class ships. The test also served
as the first at-sea demonstration of the MK 57 MOD 12/13 and its MK 73 MOD
3 solid-state transmitter to support Evolved SeaSparrow Missile surface
mode engagements while operating in autonomous mode.
    Although Evolved SeaSparrow Missile was designed primarily to engage
high-speed, maneuvering air threats, this event demonstrated the missile's
ability to engage surface threats. This test event employed a high-speed
maneuverable surface target -- a small, rigid-hull inflatable boat that
represented the threat scenario.
    The surface-to-surface improvements to Evolved SeaSparrow Missile's
capability were implemented completely through changes to the missile's
software. This software improvement was co-developed by the Naval Air
Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif., and Raytheon Missile
Systems in Tucson, Ariz.
    "With this software-based upgrade, Evolved SeaSparrow Missile can now
more effectively counter the threat posed by fast surface craft before
their weapons get in range," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon Missile Systems
vice president of Naval Weapon Systems.
    Additional surface-to-surface firings are scheduled later this year
from the Navy's Self Defense Test Ship and from a Dutch frigate.
    Raytheon Missile Systems is the prime contractor for the Evolved
SeaSparrow Missile, leading a team of 18 international companies from 10
NATO consortium countries. Evolved SeaSparrow Missile currently is deployed
in seven navies around the world.
    Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems, headquartered in Tewksbury,
Mass., is the prime contractor for the MK 57 fire control system, MK 73
transmitter and MK 29 launcher.
    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:
    John Farlow
    520.794.1211
SOURCE Raytheon Company
http://www.raytheon.com/
CONTACT:
John Farlow of Raytheon Company,
+1-520-794-1211