Raytheon Wins Surveillance Contract, Launches Data Link Technology

BEDFORD, Mass., June 15 -- Raytheon Co.'s Bedford unit announced today it won a $36.3 million contract for the US Army's Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment System surveillance program, and its Space and Airborne Systems division announced new data link communication technology for the US Navy.

About 75 percent of the work on the Army contract, which involves surveillance and cameras, will be performed in Bedford, and the rest in Elizabeth City, N.C., according to the Department of Defense. Waltham-based Raytheon is slated to finish the work for the Army's Space and Missile Defense Command, in Huntsville, Ala., by April 30, 2006.

Meanwhile, Raytheon's Space and Airborne division, in El Segundo, Calif, announced it is introducting this year high-speed data link communications that allows two-way communication and data encryption for the Navy's Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) targeting pod for F/A-18 aircraft.

The most common communications systems in targeting pods rely on the C-band frequency, which in computer terms is the equivalent speed of using a dial-up connection. ATFLIR's high-speed "full duplex" two-way secure communications will allow near instantaneous communications between the air crews and ground forces as well as providing enhanced communications with shipboard command and control systems, the company said.

"This new capability in the world of data link communications will provide better flexibility for the air crews to respond more quickly and more effectively while operating in high density/urban combat environments," said Wes Motooka, Raytheon's vice president of Tactical Aircraft and Navigation Systems. "Ku band is the frequency of the future, and we intend to ensure ATFLIR continues to deliver new and critical technologies that will enhance the performance of the F/A-18 platform."

For more information, visit: www.raytheon.com