TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 4, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company is taking the fight to the frost with a new system using radio frequency technology.

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Raytheon's Tempwave™ radiant heating system offers a more efficient way to warm crops and avoid the adverse effects of frost on the growing season.

The Tempwave system delivers energy directly to a crop without heating the intervening air. It works to prevent freeze damage in both radiation and advection frost events. The system is silent in operation, uses no water, emits no smoke, and unlike a wind machine, it does not rely on environmental conditions for its effectiveness.

"Our expertise in radio frequency has enabled a disruptive product that frees growers from the limits and variations inherent in existing frost protection methods," said Lee Silvestre, vice president Mission Innovation for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems. "Tempwave autonomously and precisely delivers energy directly where it's needed to prevent freezing."

In successful concept testing on citrus crops in California, Tempwave radiators on towers were arrayed in an orchard, powered by grid electricity, and provided the needed coverage and intensity to protect orange groves from frost damage.

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:
    Michele Lemos
    978.858.5850

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SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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