Raytheon founded by Vannevar Bush, Laurence Marshall, Charles G. Smith as American Appliance Co in Cambridge MA; renamed Raytheon Manufacturing 1925. Pioneers vacuum tubes and the proximity fuze used in WWII.

Percy Spencer at Raytheon discovers microwave heating from magnetron; commercialized as Radarange 1947 — first microwave oven; Raytheon becomes world leader in microwave technology.

Raytheon Sparrow AAM enters US Navy service; first operational radar-guided air-to-air missile, foundation of Raytheon's missile business.

Patriot Air Defense System enters US Army service; debuts in Gulf War 1991 against Iraqi Scuds. Becomes Raytheon's flagship product over 4 decades.

Raytheon acquires Hughes Aircraft defense electronics from GM for $9.5B; doubles missile portfolio adding AMRAAM, TOW, Maverick to Sparrow/Stinger lineup.

Tomahawk Block IV (Tactical Tomahawk) enters US Navy service with two-way satcom link enabling in-flight retargeting; ~150 launched in OIF opening salvo Mar 2003.

Pratt & Whitney F119 engine delivers final F-22 propulsion; pivots focus to F135 for F-35 (single-engine 5th-gen powerplant standard through 2070+).

Pratt & Whitney F135 engine for F-35 enters full-rate production; eventually 3,000+ engine fleet, foundation of P&W military business.

SM-6 Block IB development begins; longer-range Standard Missile variant with bigger 21-inch motor for fleet defense and anti-ship strike.

Raytheon-United Technologies merger closes Apr 3 2020; creates RTX with $74B revenue across Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Raytheon Intelligence & Space. HQ Arlington VA.

Russia invades Ukraine; Patriot/NASAMS/Stinger demand inflects; first major peer-conflict munitions test in 30+ years

Stinger MANPADS production restart announced after Ukraine donations deplete US stockpile; first new orders in 18 years

NASAMS air-defense systems delivered to Ukraine; combat-proven against cruise missile and drone threats

Patriot demand quadruples post-Ukraine; Raytheon ramps capacity from 12 to 24 fire units/year

Wins Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) prime contract from USAF; air-breathing scramjet hypersonic; first delivery 2027 expected.

Pratt & Whitney GTF engine powder metal contamination disclosed; ~600-700 PW1100G inspections required, ~$3.5B charge

Germany finalizes Patriot order for €1.2B+ to backfill systems donated to Ukraine

P&W announces full PW1100G recovery plan: ~$5B+ cumulative charges through 2026; AOG (aircraft on ground) days peak ~650 in 2024.

Tomahawk Block V production ramping; Maritime Strike variant qualified for fleet use

Wins $5.5B Patriot multi-year contract for 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles + radar upgrades; largest Patriot order in program history.

AMRAAM-ER (extended range, NASAMS-launched) achieves operational milestone; longer-range air defense intercept

Backlog reaches $221B (commercial + defense); defense-only ~$93B with Patriot multi-year contracts

Raytheon LTAMDS (Lower Tier Air & Missile Defense Sensor) achieves IOC; replaces Patriot radar

Pratt & Whitney F135 Engine Core Upgrade enters production for F-35 fleet retrofit

Tomahawk Block V production reaches 250/yr; US Navy and allied launch platforms add Typhon Mid-Range Capability launchers ashore.