LOUISVILLE, Ky., 9 Nov. 2005. Sailors on the U.S. Navy's new LHA 6 class amphibious assault warship will defend their ship with Raytheon Company's Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System, company officials say.

Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20-mm Gatling-gun system. The Phalanx Block 1B contains a fully integrated radar/infrared surveillance and tracking sensor suite, which provides for automatic or manual acquisition and track of enemy threats. This capability coupled with the fire power of the six optimized gun barrels guarantee protection of crews and their ships against an increased number of threats including small, fast gunboats; standard and guided artillery; rotary- and fixed-winged aircraft; mines as well as a wide variety of anti-ship missiles. More than 895 systems have been built and deployed in the navies of 22 nations.

"The LHA 6 will replace the Navy's current LHA class of amphibious assault ships and will resemble a small aircraft carrier," said Capt. Tim Atkinson, Phalanx program manager for the Navy. "It will be an aviation-enhanced ship tailored for the U.S. Marine Corps future aviation combat element centered on short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft as well as rotary wing and tilt- rotor transport aircraft. Additionally, the LHA 6 will embark, support and operate for sustained periods with landing force units including landing craft as well as command and control elements. Phalanx will be an integral part of the future success of this warship."

"Phalanx will continue to provide the best possible close-in defense to sailors and Marines as well as to the entire amphibious fleet," said Jim Wolf, Raytheon's Phalanx systems director in Tucson, Ariz. "Plans call for two Block 1B systems to be installed on each of the LHA 6 ships, providing a tested and proven defensive element to the combat systems suite. Being included in the LHA 6 program validates Phalanx as a vital component of this new, multi-functional and versatile ship that will use the latest technologies and capabilities."

Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide. For more information, see www.raytheon.com.