TEWKSBURY, Mass., Feb. 4, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) at Thule Air Base, Greenland, has achieved a significant milestone on its path toward operational status, successfully tracking its first satellite in an operational space surveillance mission configuration.

"It's impressive that this event was accomplished after only 31 hours of test time that sets a new record for bringing a UEWR system to the first track milestone," said Pete Franklin, vice president of National and Theater Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "Upgrading the UEWR will provide increased capability for missile defense."

As the prime contractor, Raytheon is integrating new leading edge electronics, computer hardware and mission software that upgrades the existing two-faced, phased-array antenna facility at the remote site and adds capability to support missile defense missions. Raytheon, awarded the Thule UEWR contract in April 2006, will support integrated tests of the Thule UEWR, performing missile defense, early warning and space surveillance missions.

Developed by Raytheon, the UEWR continues the company's heritage of Ultra High Frequency phased-array radars. The UEWRs add missile defense capabilities to the Raytheon-developed PAVE PAWS and Ballistic Missile Early Warning System radars, while continuing their missile warning and space surveillance missions for the U.S. Air Force Space Command. The radar is a key sensor for the Missile Defense Agency's Ballistic Missile Defense System, providing target detection and tracking to protect the U.S. and other nations from ballistic missile attacks.

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 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

    Contact:
    Maureen Heard
    339.645.6664

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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