LEXINGTON, Mass., April 1, 1999 - Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTNA, RTNB) today announced that upgrades to the U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 operational flight trainer and cockpit procedures trainer have been completed three months ahead of schedule.

The trainers will be used by the Marine Corps' new VMMT-204 flight squadron.

The upgraded MV-22 trainers, which are being delivered approximately three months in advance of the first aircraft production units, will be used over the next 12 months to train instructor pilots to fly this advanced tilt-rotor aircraft. This cadre of instructor pilots will be responsible for overseeing the training of future Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force pilots chosen to fly the MV-22.

"Delivery of this device is important because it will standup the initial Marine Corps and Air Force training instructor pilot cadre and it represents the first time the Marine Corps has ever had a trainer in place before an aircraft," said Maj. Mitch Bauman, V-22 assistant program manager for training.

The approximate $13 million upgrade to the MV-22 trainers focused on replacement of each trainer's cockpit shell and the majority of each trainer's cockpit instrumentation. This effort -- which included the integration of simulated multi-function displays, an upgrade of the simulator's primary computer and a simulation of the display electronics unit -- keeps the trainers concurrent with the design of production aircraft units.

"Raytheon is proud to deliver to the Marines Corps completely upgraded MV-22 trainers that will support the service's requirement to develop a new breed of pilot to fly this remarkable multi-mission tilt-rotor aircraft," said Gary Nesta, director of Flight Simulation at Raytheon Systems Company. "These trainers will play a critical role in preparing future MV-22 pilots for missions as diverse as assault support, medical evacuation, cargo operations and search and rescue."

In addition to its upgraded high-fidelity cockpit, the MV-22 operational flight trainer provides pilots with computer generated visual scenes that stretch 220° horizontally by 115° vertically within a 24-foot dome. The six-channel visual display supports both out-the-window visual scenes and forward-looking infrared imagery.

To meet the unique training requirements for the MV-22, pilots will practice flight operations within the simulator that encompass normal and emergency procedures; visual, instrument and night vision goggle flight; formation flight; aerial refueling; and takeoffs and landings from ships, airfields and confined area landing sites.

Raytheon Company, based in Lexington, Mass., is a global technology leader that provides products and services in the areas of commercial and defense electronics, engineering and construction, and business and special mission aircraft. Raytheon has operations throughout the United States and serves customers in more than 80 countries around the world.