The Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF) 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. Raytheon provided operational support for JASDF's Annual Service Practice (ASP).

"It's a great team effort by JASDF, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) and Raytheon, focused on mission success," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "The success of this year's exercise speaks volumes to the results this team delivers."

Patriot fire unit crews operating Raytheon's Configuration-3 systems conducted numerous missions against various targets during the course of the ASP, which took place from September through November.

Approximately 375 JASDF personnel participated in this year's missions.

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 IDS 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.