TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and
the U.S. Navy successfully completed the first demonstration test flight (DT-
0) of the Raytheon-produced Tactical Tomahawk today at the Naval Air Systems
Command sea range near Point Mugu, Calif.  This landmark flight test
demonstrated new tactical capabilities for the Navy's next generation long-
range precision strike weapon.
    "This first successful test flight of Tactical Tomahawk marks the
beginning of a new age of strike warfare technology," said Navy Capt. Bob
Novak, Tomahawk All-up Round program manager. "It represents the best in
industry and government teamwork and allows execution of the low rate initial
production contract."
    DT-0 demonstrated all pre-launch and in-flight missile functionality.
Launched from a vertical ground launcher, the Tactical Tomahawk successfully
met all test objectives that included missile performance from pre-flight
initialization through simulated attack; demonstration of all flight modes,
terminal maneuvers, variable dive angles and fuzing function; and
demonstration of two-way satellite communication, en route mission flex and
GPS/Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) navigation.
    "We are proud and excited to be a crucial step closer to delivering on our
commitment to the warfighter to evolve Tomahawk into a more flexible and
tactical precision strike weapon," said Louise Francesconi, Raytheon vice
president and general manager of the Missiles Systems business unit.
    Tomahawk, the surface- and submarine-launched, precision strike stand-off
weapon, is the Navy's weapon of choice for critical, long-range precision
strike missions against high value, heavily defended targets.
    Tactical Tomahawk will incorporate innovative technologies to provide new
operational capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition and life
cycle costs. Scheduled for fleet introduction in 2004, the Tactical Tomahawk
will cost less than half of a newly built Block III missile and will have the
capability to respond to changing battlefield conditions through the use of
its loiter and mission flex features.
    With headquarters in Lexington, Mass, Raytheon is a global technology
leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, and business and
special mission aircraft.

     Contact:
     Jennifer Spears
     (520) 794-4182

Link to this page: