TEWKSBURY, Mass., Dec. 13, 2007 /PRNewswire/ — Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) MK 57 Vertical Launching System (VLS) program for the Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000) has been recognized by the Department of Defense and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) as a 2006 Top 5 DoD program award winner for excellence in systems engineering.

Co-developed by Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) and BAE Systems, the MK 57 VLS provides critical ship self defense capabilities and is designed to fire all missile types in the U.S. Navy inventory and projected to be in inventory for the foreseeable future. The first shipboard deployment of the system is planned for the Zumwalt-class destroyer, the U.S. Navy's next- generation, multi-mission destroyer.

"This award is a projection of the customer's confidence in the MK 57 VLS and our team's ability to deliver world-class systems," said IDS' Bill Marcley, director of Zumwalt Mission Systems Equipment. "Raytheon applies its engineering innovation and expertise to the development of systems and capabilities that are reliable, affordable and tailored to meet the needs of the warfighter."

Members from Raytheon's joint government-industry team were presented with the award during NDIA's 10th Annual Systems Engineering Conference, San Diego, Calif. AFADTS (Advanced Field Artillery Data System), another Raytheon program, also received one of the Top 5 awards.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

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 85 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.