13:11 GMT, June 5, 2009 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. | Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a series of hardware-in-the-loop laboratory tests on the GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II's datalink, a crucial step to clearing the datalink for flight tests later this month.

During the tests, engineers verified the Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) datalink worked as anticipated in a variety of demanding circumstances. Because of the GBU-53/B's datalink's performance, engineers will now conduct UHF and Link 16-mode testing of the datalink from a UH-1 helicopter.

"Rockwell Collins brings an excellent technical solution to our GBU-53/B program," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "The datalink is ready for engineering and manufacturing development, making the weapon network enabled for both UHF and Link 16. Additionally the GBU-53/B's datalink can adapt to accommodate future waveforms."

Raytheon is competing for a GBU-53/B engineering and manufacturing development contract, which is scheduled to be awarded in late 2009 with delivery of production rounds beginning in late 2013.