FULLERTON, Calif., Nov. 10, 2004  /PRNewswire/ -- ThalesRaytheonSystems
(TRS) Company has been awarded a $13.1 million dollar firm-fixed price
contract by the U.S. Army Air and Missile Command for the production and
integration of more than 20 AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar Modernization kits.

    The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar is a highly mobile, ground based, air defense
radar that automatically detects, tracks, identifies, classifies and reports
airborne targets to supporting weapons systems for engagements of hostile
targets.  The kits will provide the Sentinel Radars with increased detection
and acquisition ranges, improved target classification and greater detection
of smaller targets in both clear and cluttered environments.

    This is the second contract for modernization kits awarded to TRS in the
past two years as the U.S. Army continues to move forward with implementation
of its P3I (pre-planned product improvement) program for the Sentinel Radar.

    The Sentinel Radar is the premier air surveillance and target
acquisition/tracking sensor for the U.S. Army SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense)
program.  Accurate, quick reacting and able to acquire targets far enough
forward of friendly units, Sentinel allows air defense weapons systems to
engage hostile targets at optimum ranges.  Sentinel is also the designated
radar for the U.S. Army's Surfaced Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missile (SLAMRAAM) system.

    "The follow-on production kit award for the Sentinel Radar ensures that a
smooth continuation of the modernization program will occur while maintaining
cost effectiveness," said Rick Russell, ThalesRaytheonSystems Sentinel-
Modernization program manager.  Work on the kits will be performed in
Fullerton and El Segundo, Calif., and El Paso, Texas.  All work on the current
contract is expected to be completed by fourth quarter 2008.

    ThalesRaytheonSystems is a transatlantic joint venture (JV) between
Raytheon Company and Thales Group.  ThalesRaytheonSystems is a worldwide
supplier of air defense command and control centers (ADCC) and ground based
battlefield radars.  Annual income is approximately 700 million dollars with
nearly 2000 people employed.


  Contacts:
   In the United States                In Europe
   Patricia Perlini                    Isabelle Blackburn
   972-952-4033                        +33.1.69.75.5098


SOURCE: ThalesRaytheonSystems

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