ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 29, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has introduced a transformational battlefield radio that dramatically improves communications and situational awareness.

The MicroLight™-DH500, a fully integrated, single, lightweight device, is derived from the only proven, networked communications radio that can provide soldiers with simultaneous voice, video, data and critical position location information.

"We have been evolving our networking radio technology for many years, shrinking the capability into smaller and smaller form factors," said Jerry Powlen, vice president, Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communications Systems. "We recognize the need to bring ad-hoc networking capability to the battlefield, and the MicroLight-DH500 now makes that possible."

The MicroLight-DH500 is Raytheon's latest offering in the MicroLight family of radios. It leverages all the advantages demonstrated in the MicroLight 2nd Generation, or M2G MicroLight-I, in use by the U.S. Army in dismounted operations. Additionally, it integrates the functionality of an external voice controller and a Global Positioning System, or GPS, receiver.

"The MicroLight-DH500 has demonstrated excellent performance in buildings, urban settings, and other challenging radio frequency environments," said Powlen. "In addition to providing voice and data communications, the MicroLight-DH500 offers situational awareness information in GPS-denied environments and is designed to be powered by a battery already in use by the United States and other militaries around the world."

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors: The MicroLight-DH500 provides additional tri-band capability operating in the 225MHz to 2.0 GHz frequency, providing users with greater flexibility in operations.

  Contact:
  MB Hodgkiss
  781.254.3428

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: MB Hodgkiss of Raytheon Company, +1-781-254-3428

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/