SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov 13, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) advanced concrete breaking technology for urban search and rescue received Popular Science's Best of What's New award for 2008.

The Controlled Impact Rescue Tool (CIRT) uses shock waves to pulverize concrete. The tool removes the barrier material, which allows rescue workers faster access to victims.

"For 21 years, Popular Science's Best of What's New awards honor the innovations that a make positive impact on life today and change our views of the future," said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. "PopSci's editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list; there's no higher accolade Popular Science can give."

CIRT's innovative design can shatter a concrete wall in 13 minutes, compared with more than 30 minutes for conventional methods.

"Less effective solutions require a lot more time to breach the concrete," said Guy DuBois, vice president of Raytheon's Operational Technologies and Solutions. "The CIRT decreases the breach time by 50 percent. That's life-saving news for a trapped victim."

Based in Garland, Texas, Raytheon IIS is a leading provider of information and intelligence solutions to the government. IIS had annual revenues in 2007 of approximately $2.7 billion and employs more than 9,000 engineering and technical professionals worldwide.

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.

Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world's largest science and technology magazine, with a circulation of 1.45 million and 6.5 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what's new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Time4 Media, a subsidiary of Time Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.

  Contact:
  Keith Little
  703.849.1675

  Note to Editors:

The award winners can be found in the December edition of Popular Science. More information on the CIRT can be found at http://www.raytheon.com/ keyword: CIRT.

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Keith Little of Raytheon Company, +1-703-849-1675

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