LONDON, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon's Tomahawk cruise missile system
recently completed another successful test launch from a Royal Navy attack
submarine.  HMS TRAFALGAR, the latest UK submarine to be fitted with Tomahawk,
recently fired the weapon in the Gulf of Mexico as part of the Navy's trials
to achieving full operational status for the system.
    The missile was flown to a target using Global Positioning System (GPS)
and Digital Mapping Navigation Techniques over a pre-planned route to the test
range at the US Air Force Base, Eglin in western Florida.  It then made a
simulated aerial detonation close above its target, before being recovered
safely by parachute.  All Mission Planning and Targeting data for the test
flight was provided to HMS TRAFALGAR via satellite communications from the
Royal Navy's operational headquarters at Northwood, north west London.
    Tomahawk will achieve Fleet Weapon Acceptance at the end of this year, as
originally planned when the project was approved in 1995.  Even though full
operational status has not yet been attained, Tomahawk has already proved its
worth in action with the Royal Navy during the Kosovo campaign in 1999.
    This latest launch also marked the first use of a joint US/UK version of
the Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control System software, which promotes
commonality and interoperability between the Royal Navy and US Navy.  The US
Navy uses Tomahawk in both surface- and submarine-launched configurations.
    The TRAFALGAR firing was the fourth operational flight test by the Royal
Navy over US test ranges.  Operational testing ensures the high reliability of
the weapon system and gives realistic training to Royal Navy submarine crews.
Tomahawks are deployed in both SWIFTSURE and TRAFALGAR class nuclear powered
attack submarines and will be fitted to the ASTUTE class vessels when they
enter service in 2005.
    Tomahawk has played an important role in a number of regional conflicts.
Since Desert Storm in 1991 more than 1,000 Tomahawks have been fired with a
high degree of accuracy.

    With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company is a global
technology leader in defence, government and commercial electronics, and
business and special mission aircraft.

    Contact:
    Mike Brown                    or            Jennifer Spears
    +44-20-7569-5517                            +44-797-659-4118

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