NetFires LLC Precision Attack Missile Launch Paves the Way for Complete System Testing

TUCSON, Ariz., April 6, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- NetFires LLC, a joint venture between Raytheon Company's Missile Systems business and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, successfully launched a Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System Precision Attack Missile April 4 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., taking the missile system a significant step toward full- up missile testing planned for later this year.

After a successful launch from a tactical Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System Container Launch Unit, the Precision Attack Missile enhanced ballistic test vehicle -- equipped with a telemetry system in place of a warhead and a high- fidelity mass stimulant seeker -- completed the launch sequence and transitioned to flight.

The enhanced ballistic test vehicle missile's wings and fins deployed, the Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System navigational system successfully operated, and the thrust vector control system and control actuator system controlled the airframe. Additionally, the telemetry system, battery system, air data system and propulsion system functioned properly.

"Our program approach is to test early and test often to ensure success," said Scott Speet, executive vice president of the NetFires LLC and Raytheon's Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System program director. "This test provides the Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System team an early look before full-up missile integration and builds for future test flights."

"This successful flight test is a first step to providing our warfighters the critical, cost-effective, long-range, precision capability needed to successfully fight in the 21st century battlespace," said Col. Doug Dever, U.S. Army's Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System project manager.

The Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System is one of the 14 Future Combat System's (FCS) core systems. It will operate as a part of the FCS systems-of- systems to meet the requirements of the Army's Future Brigade Combat Teams and provide increased capability for the current force's modular Brigade Combat Teams. It is also one of the key littoral combat ship mission modules. Compared to systems with equivalent firepower (kills per combat load), the Non Line-of-Sight-Launch System provides a modular, highly deployable and flexible precision fires capability to the U.S. Army, Navy and joint maneuver forces for a very low life-cycle system cost.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning more than 80 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 73,000 people worldwide.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, and integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Contacts: Raytheon Lockheed Martin Everett Tackett, APR Craig Vanbebber 520.794.9494 972.603.1615