Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Set to Enter Low Rate Initial Production

Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy Set to Enter Low Rate Initial Production

		A U.S. Air Force F-16 carries three Miniature Air Launched Decoys during a recent flight test. The U.S. Air Force directed Raytheon to begin low rate initial production of the MALD(TM). The MALD offers counter air operations to neutralize air defense systems that pose a threat to U.S. and allied pilots. (PRNewsFoto/Raytheon Company) TUCSON, AZ UNITED STATES

MALD(TM) will help protect aviators during combat operations TUCSON, Ariz., July 17, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. and allied aviators will soon have additional protection when flying in harm's way. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080717/NETH019 ) Thanks to a June 18 decision by the U.S. Air Force, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will begin low rate initial production of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy. "The LRIP decision means warfighters will soon have another tool to shape the battlespace," said Ken Watson, director of the U.S. Air Force's 692nd Armament Systems Squadron. "MALD protects aircrew and their aircraft by duplicating the combat flight profiles and signatures of U.S. and allied aircraft. This enhances the warfighter's ability to accomplish the mission and return home safely." Raytheon anticipates a contract to begin full rate production later this year. The company will produce 150 decoys in the first production lot. This will meet a required asset availability date of fourth quarter 2009. "Thanks to the teamwork with our Air Force partners and our suppliers, we rapidly moved from the first test flight to an LRIP decision," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Air Warfare Systems. In addition to protecting valuable aircraft, MALD offers counter air operations to neutralize air defense systems that pose a threat to U.S. and allied pilots. The low cost, air-launched programmable craft weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles). 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 86 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: Mike Nachshen 520.794.4088 - office 520.269.5697 - mobile Michael_nachshen@raytheon.com