Raytheon new-production Patriot Air and Missile Defense System successfully launched a PAC-3 missile to engage a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M. This test was the culmination of two years of testing of the complete system, proving system performance in all environments and against all threats.

“Patriot's flawless performance only strengthens the long-standing confidence our warfighters and customers have as they rely on Patriot for the safety and security of their people. With modernized Patriot and new customers coming on board, they can now also count on their cost of ownership to go down,” said Sanjay Kapoor, Vice President of Integrated Air and Missile Defense for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business.

“In fact, the U.S. Army's recent decision to extend the fielding of Patriot from 2040 to 2048 demonstrates its confidence in the system and its future,” he added.

Over the last two years, the modernized Patriot system has performed exceptionally in each of the challenging flight tests, receiving the U.S. Army's stamp of approval.

Patriot is the world's most capable air and missile defense system, providing protection against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is the system of choice for 12 nations around the globe.

Raytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world.

With a history of innovation spanning 91 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.