TEWKSBURY, Mass., Nov. 12, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the 300th Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment tower to the U.S. Army during a celebration marking the occasion in Huntsville, Ala.

RAID towers provide persistent surveillance capability 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. The system is currently in wide use throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and coalition allies.

"This delivery of the 300th RAID tower to our Army customer is a milestone we take great pride in," said Pete Franklin, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "RAID continues to prove its significance on the battlefield in protecting our most valuable asset, the warfighter."

The RAID system employs a variety of platforms (aerostat, tower or mast) and sensor suites to provide unprecedented elevated persistent surveillance in support of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance needs. It supports a variety of missions ranging from force protection to force projection to border surveillance for domestic homeland security as well as for that of our allies.

"Everyone working on the RAID program knows that what they do in providing unparalleled support to our customer plays a key role in making sure the system has the highest operational readiness for our warfighters," said Mike Staid, RAID senior program manager for Raytheon.

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 on the RAID program is 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.

  Contact:
  Jim Keller
  256.542.4051

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Contact: Jim Keller of Raytheon Company, +1-256-542-4051

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