TEMECULA, Calif., Oct. 10, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) assembled 15 industry vendors Sept. 26 to demonstrate how off-the-shelf technologies can be integrated to provide greater effectiveness to military, law enforcement and first responder operations.

The demonstrations, held at the French Valley Airport in Temecula, Calif., were attended by an array of national, state and local public officials from the Los Angeles and San Diego areas.

"Throughout the country, there are law enforcement and first responder professionals who are looking to improve their effectiveness using the technology that already exists," said Gene Blackwell, Raytheon vice president of the Rapid Initiatives Group. "For that reason, we tried to assemble public officials to demonstrate the art of the possible."

One of the demonstrations used existing technology for affordable air surveillance. Timely processing of sensor data produced valuable information for quicker and more accurate decision-making.

This persistent surveillance system was mounted on an ultralight aircraft and flown during the demonstrations. A hyperblimp was also used to demonstrate how users can survey a specific geographic area more efficiently.

All the demonstrations showed different ways to increase efficiency in detecting, identifying, responding and eliminating threats for force protection, counterterror and first responder missions.

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:

A Sept. 24 release incorrectly stated that the demonstrations were held for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System. Public officials from across California were invited to attend, and the event was not limited to any specific program or organization.

  Contact:
  Lynford Morton
  703.284.4446
  lynfordm@raytheon.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Lynford Morton, +1-703-284-4446, lynfordm@raytheon.com, for
Raytheon Company

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