TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 9, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a U.S. Army contract modification to provide additional persistent surveillance capability through the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) program.

Raytheon was awarded $27.6 million to provide RAID elevated sensor systems to the U.S. Army as part of the Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System program (BETSS).

"The continued high demand for the RAID system demonstrates its effectiveness in saving lives," said Pete Franklin, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "RAID continues to be one of the most valuable systems fielded today, and Raytheon is proud to be a partner with the U.S. Army in this critically important endeavor."

RAID provides persistent surveillance using infrared sensors elevated on a stationary platform. Raytheon first developed RAID to respond to the U.S. military's critical need for persistent surveillance in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The RAID system is currently in wide use throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and will be an integral part of the BETSS effort.

RAID is an example of IDS' OpenAIR™ business model that leverages the best of academia, large and small business to provide the best value solution. Work will be performed at Raytheon IDS' Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass., Cross Business Integration Center, Billerica, Mass., and Warfighter Protection Center, Huntsville, Ala.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86 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 72,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors:

This contract award was originally announced by the Department of Defense Aug. 20, 2008

  Contact:
  Maureen Heard
  339.645.6664

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Maureen Heard of Raytheon Company, +1-339-645-6664

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