MCKINNEY, Texas, Jan. 10, 2006 -- Defense contractor Raytheon Co. is teaming up with Boeing Co. and IBM to bid on a major US Army technology contract worth about $20 billion, the companies said today. The three have formed a long-term strategic alliance that positions it to bid for the US Army's Strategic Services Sourcing program, known as S3, which is a five-year, $20 billion contract to support the Army's command, control, communication, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, known as C4ISR. It brings together five previously separate contracts into one. One of the largest Pentagon service contracts, it is expected to be awarded in March; it reflects the Pentagons' efforts to outsource more support work for the armed forces and to put more emphasis on technology. The three defense companies have collaborated for nearly two years to determine the best way to deliver logistics and sustainment solutions for pursuits like S3. Raytheon's Network Centric Systems, which has the most experience in supporting the Army's technology, the public sector of IBM's Business Consulting Services and Boeing's Integrated Defense System's Logistics Support Systems business are involved in the S3 bid. They will also work with incumbent contractors Blackhawk and JB Management, among others. For more information, visit: www.raytheon.com