Japanese Air Self Defense Forces Conduct Successful Patriot Missile Test Firings in United States.

The Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF), operating Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Patriot Configuration-3 systems, successfully concluded its annual training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas. The exercise included target engagement and successful test firings of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System in tactical mission configurations. 

A member of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) stands guard in front of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors (PAC3) upon its compeletion of deployment at Ministry of Defense on March 29, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. 

"The year-after-year success of the exercise is a testimony to Patriot's superior capabilities and Raytheon's commitment to deliver results to all our partners worldwide," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "The dedication and team effort shown by JASDF and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) as they joined Raytheon to make this annual exercise a success are impressive."

JASDF's Annual Service Practice (ASP) took place from Oct. 8 through Nov. 19. Approximately 380 JASDF personnel participated in this year's missions. Raytheon provided operational support while Patriot fire unit crews conducted numerous missions against various targets during the course of the ASP.

Japan is one of the 12 nations that have selected the combat-proven Patriot as a key component of their air and missile defense program.

Raytheon is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles. MHI is the prime contractor for Patriot in Japan and manufactures the Guidance Enhanced Missile and related ground equipment for Japan under a license agreement with Raytheon.