The Netherlands Purchases GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II Kits

Released on Tuesday, April 22, 2008

TUCSON, Ariz., April 22, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Netherlands awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a competitively bid contract for the combat-proven Enhanced Paveway(TM) II precision-guided munition (PGM) April 8.

The contract, which is a direct commercial sale for an undisclosed sum, will provide the Netherlands with 200 kits to convert 500-pound "dumb" bombs into the GBU-49, a precision weapon that has been used extensively in Iraq.

A representative from the Netherlands said there were several reasons for awarding the contract to Raytheon.

"We wanted to provide our military a proven dual-mode PGM with unparalleled capability and precision, which is why we chose Raytheon's Paveway," said Maj. Bob H.M.J. Fleuren, project leader, Defence Materiel Organisation. "We look forward to working with Raytheon as we continue to upgrade and modernize our military's capability."

According to company officials, Raytheon's Paveway will provide a number of benefits to warfighters in the Netherlands.

"The Netherland's selection of Enhanced Paveway II provides its Air Force the world's only combat-proven, dual-mode, laser-guided weapon in production today," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "EP2 provides more standoff range and more precision than any similar dual-mode PGM in the world."