TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 15, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company a $12.2 million contract to study the feasibility of increasing power and adding a data link capability for the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer(MALD-J™).

"This effort will allow us to evaluate the technical maturity of a radio frequency data link and to study further increases in jammer power levels," said Ken Watson, the U.S. Air Force's MALD program manager. "This will enhance MALD-J's ability to function as a key component in a system of electronic warfare systems."

MALD-J is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles).

The contract requires Raytheon to integrate a data link and more powerful jammer amplifiers into the baseline MALD/MALD-J vehicle. Raytheon will also determine the technical feasibility and performance capability of MALD-J Block II prior to building and flight testing the new vehicle.

"The modular design lends itself to these improvements," said Scott Muse, Raytheon's MALD program director. "This system is so versatile there is almost no limit to what kind of capabilities can be integrated on this platform."

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:

In November 2008, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine named Raytheon's MALD the winner of the 2008 Program Excellence Award in System Research and Development.

More than 125 Raytheon employees design and build the MALD and MALD-J in Tucson, Ariz., Goleta, Calif., and El Segundo, Calif.

Hundreds of employees in scores of businesses across the U.S. design and manufacture MALD and MALD-J components. Major suppliers include: AUSCO, Port Washington, N.Y.; BAE, Berthoud, Colo.; CEI, Sacramento, Calif.; Celestica, Austin, Texas; Eagle Pitcher, Joplin, Mo.; EDO, Bohemia, N.Y.; Enser, Pinellas Park, Fla.; Engineered Fabrics Corp, Rockmart, Ga.; GDOTS, Redmond, Wash.; Hamilton-Sundstrand, Rockford, Ill.; Hamilton-Sundstrand, San Diego, Calif.; Kuchera, Windber, Pa.; LaBarge, Joplin, Mo.; Moog, East Aurora, N.Y.; Tecom, Westlake Village, Calif.

    Contact:
    Mike Nachshen
    520.794.4088 - office
    520.269.5697 - mobile
    Michael_nachshen@raytheon.com

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/149999.html

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/742575 .html