Japanese Troops Conduct Successful Patriot Firings at Fort Bliss

TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Two Japanese Patriot crews recently engaged targets in a successful practice firing at Fort Bliss, Texas. Raytheon Company provided operational support for the annual service practice conducted by Japan Air Self-Defense Force troops.>> "From Raytheon's perspective, all visual indications and initial data readings support a successful mission," said Dan Smith, president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "The results of this annual service practice are indicative of the system's reliability and the high readiness of Japanese Patriot crews.">> Raytheon IDS engineers provided operational support that included intermediate maintenance and data collection and analysis validating intercept parameters.>> Raytheon is the prime contractor for the Patriot system and integration of all variants. Japan is one of 10 nations that employ the combat-proven Patriot as a key component of its air and missile defense program.>> Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities 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 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.>> -ends->