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thedrifter
03-08-07, 10:42 AM
Raytheon's Excalibur Successfully Completes Final Testing, Clearing the Path for Early Fielding


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 8, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's
(NYSE: RTN) Excalibur precision-guided 155 mm artillery round has passed
its final testing hurdle for fielding with the successful completion of a
so- called Limited User Test in February at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.
Pending additional system-level certification, Excalibur will be
fielded to U.S. Army and Canadian field artillery units.

When Excalibur is fielded, it will mark the deployment of the world's
first autonomous precision-guided artillery projectile, providing soldiers
and Marines with unprecedented fire support accuracy from weapon systems
organic to the current Brigade Combat Team force structure.
"This is great news from the Excalibur Team," said Maj. Gen. David
Ralston, Commanding General, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence. "As the
first autonomous guided field artillery projectile, Excalibur provides the
users -- our field artillery soldiers and Marines -- an enhanced capability
for responsive, precise and lethal fires in support of the ground commander
while simultaneously reducing collateral damage to civilian personnel and
facilities."

"Excalibur is out of the lab and in the hands of our soldiers and
Marines," said Jim Riley, vice president of the Raytheon Land Combat
Product Line. "Excalibur provides the ground commander with a powerful tool
to shape the battlefield in real time and dominate the battlespace."

"The successful Limited User Testing was due to hard work on the part
of the development team, the Excalibur new equipment training team and
soldiers from 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment of the 3rd
Infantry Division," Riley said.
"The 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment soldiers operated as
truck drivers during their last Iraqi employment. They quickly learned how
to use Excalibur with support from the new equipment training team, the
unit's soldiers and the user-friendly manner in which Excalibur is
integrated into the fire support system. The unit successfully conducted
simulated and live Excalibur missions in a tactical environment and is
looking forward to using Excalibur in the field," Riley concluded.

With its accuracy and increased effectiveness, Excalibur provides
operational flexibility and reduced logistical burden for deployed ground
forces. It also significantly reduces collateral damage through increased
precision, near-vertical descent and optimized fragmentation pattern. The
extended range of the Ia-2 Excalibur (26 miles or 40 kilometers when fired
from LW155 and Paladin howitzers), in development now with a planned
initial operational capability in fiscal year 2009, will enable optimal
positioning of forces and further extend maneuver forces' tactical reach.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is an industry
leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.

With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 80,000
people worldwide.

Contact:
Everett Tackett, APR
520.360.8527


SOURCE Raytheon Company

www.raytheon.com

Ellie