Raytheon's Standard Missile-6 Completes Guided Test Vehicle Launch

(White Sands, N.M., January 14, 2010) -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-6 successfully completed its fourth guided test vehicle launch, clearing the way for the missile's at-sea testing this year.

"All GTV engineering test objectives were met, demonstrating the SM-6's capabilities in this critical engagement," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon's vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. "With its over-the-horizon protection, SM-6 will provide the surface Navy with an increased battlespace against anti-air warfare threats. We now move forward with initial operational capability flights of this extended-range AAW system."

SM-6 takes full advantage of the legacy Standard Missile airframe and propulsion elements while incorporating advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. The merger of these two proven technologies allows SM-6 to use both active and semiactive modes.

"The last year has been very important for SM-6," said Wyatt. "We demonstrated integrated fire control, concluded the land-based test flights and entered low rate initial production. Importantly, SM-6 continues to be on time and on budget and is now ready for sea."

Source : Raytheon Corporation (NYSE: RTN) - click here for more information