TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 5, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army awarded
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) an $85.3 million contract to produce tactical
Excalibur projectiles for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and the Australian
Defence Forces.
Excalibur, a cooperative effort between Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE
Systems Bofors of Sweden, is an artillery projectile that provides precision-
strike capability at extended ranges for current and future 155 mm howitzers.
"The Excalibur is a combat-proven artillery round that gives the soldier
precision guidance and extended range," said Kevin Byrnes, Raytheon's vice
president of Business Development-Army Executive. "Nothing is more important
to us than providing the warfighter with innovative and highly effective
technology."
Excalibur is the only precision projectile currently fired from U.S. Army
(Paladin and LW155), USMC (LW155) and Canadian (LW155) 155 mm howitzers. The
objective Excalibur has a 40-km (24.8 miles) range that demonstrates better
than 10 meter-(32.8 feet) accuracy.
"Excalibur's accuracy and lethality have brought the howitzer into the
21st century," said Raymond Sicignano, U.S. Army deputy product manager for
Excalibur. "It provides both the precision and responsiveness required for
operations in heavily populated areas. Its surgical strike accuracy
effectively eliminates enemy targets while protecting the civilian
population."
Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader
specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets
throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86 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 72,000
people worldwide.
Contact:
Heather Uberuaga
520.665.5594
uberuaga@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
