TEWKSBURY, Mass., Dec. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) hosted a forum for commercial suppliers at its Portsmouth, R.I. facility to identify technical innovations to advance efficiencies in ship system integration, test and support services conducted at shipyards across the country and around the globe.

Current and potential Raytheon suppliers discussed how technological advances could meet customer challenges and fill market gaps. This enhanced collaboration will allow Raytheon's naval programs to achieve additional cost saving opportunities and introduce new technologies into shipyards.

"This forum created an ideal collaborative environment for small business and industry partners to explore creative ideas and technologies to enhance our complete, end-to-end solutions at the waterfront," said Kevin Peppe, Raytheon vice president. "Through these suppliers, we can bring commercial innovations to our ship integration teams - such as time-saving tools and process improvements - that can deliver cost, performance and efficiency benefits for our Navy and shipyard partners."

Event participants included commercial suppliers who specialize in mobile wireless communications, prognostics, workflow and asset management. They came from California, New Mexico, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and ranged in size from large to small businesses.

Raytheon's Supplier Innovation team, the event's organizer, is dedicated to the exploration of key innovations from within and beyond its extensive supplier base. The idea is to employ current and emerging technology to engage in continuous improvement in performance and affordability for both Raytheon and its customers.

Experienced Ship Systems Integrator

Raytheon is a premier ship systems integrator, delivering proven, affordable and highly-automated solutions for navies worldwide. With extensive experience producing and integrating a full range of naval systems — including radar, networks, combat management, fire control and weapons — the company delivers comprehensive systems integration that joint forces require to defend against threats today and tomorrow. By leveraging the technology advancements achieved as the Mission Systems Integrator on DDG 1000, LPD 17, CVN and Australia's Air Warfare Destroyer programs, Raytheon supports the application of common technologies and processes across multiple platforms for navies around the globe.

About Raytheon      
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 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 cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Media Contact
Carolyn Beaudry
+1.401.842.3550
idspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company