Upgrade significantly reduces lifecycle cost, provides greater reliability and extends the life of the radar to 2030

FULLERTON, Calif., Dec. 22, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- ThalesRaytheonSystems has been awarded a $217 million U.S. Army firm-fixed-price contract to provide production modification kits and power amplifier modules as part of the Reliability Maintainability Improvement program for the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder weapon locating radar.

This contract follows the April 2008 initial production award. Combined, the AN/TPQ-37 RMI production contracts total more than $285 million.

The Firefinder RMI program addresses needs specifically identified by the user and integrates new technology that protects the warfighter from today's increasingly sophisticated threats. The program enhancements include a modular, aircooled transmitter and new common radar processors that will be applied to the Army's entire fleet of AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar systems as well as to the fleet of agile AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars.

These upgrades will significantly reduce lifecycle costs and provide higher system availability, extending the expected life of the radar to year 2030. The RMI program could potentially save the U.S. Army more than $5 billion.

The AN/TPQ-37 is the world's premier long-range weapon locating radar, deployed worldwide by the U.S. Army and 11 international customers. It locates the position of hostile artillery, rockets and mortars so friendly forces can quickly and accurately return

fire.

"This contract award underscores the Army's confidence in the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder and its value to Army warfighters," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer of ThalesRaytheonSystems, U.S. operations. "ThalesRaytheonSystems is proud to provide the Army and our allies with an innovative solution that will further extend the radars life and availability."

ThalesRaytheonSystems will procure, build, integrate and test upgrade kits for the AN/TPQ-37 radar, which will then be delivered to and installed by the U.S. Army Depot at Tobyhanna, Pa., as part of a planned upgrade program for AN/TPQ-37 radars in the U.S. Army's fleet.

About ThalesRaytheonSystems

ThalesRaytheonSystems is an equally owned transatlantic joint venture between Raytheon Company and Thales Group. ThalesRaytheonSystems is a worldwide supplier of air defense command and control systems, including sensors and ground-based battlefield radars. The company's annual revenue is in excess of $800 million U.S., and it employs more than 1,600 people.

Note to Editors:

The Defense Department originally announced this contract award Oct. 17, 2008.

    Contact:

    In the United States:
    Krista Roos
    714.446.4600

    In Europe:
    Karen Thomas
    33.1.69.75.50.98

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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