TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 25, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $23.9 million phase 3 contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue work on the agency's Wide Bandgap Semiconductor (WBGS) Development program.

This 38-month phase of the program is a collaboration between DARPA and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Its objective is to rapidly mature and demonstrate the capabilities of gallium nitride (GaN) to improve the performance of missile defense radars. To accelerate the technology development, it will combine the results of Raytheon's DARPA-funded WBGS Phase 2 and the MDA-funded Next Generation Transmit Receive Integrated Microwave Module programs.

"Our research continues to demonstrate that GaN technology will improve the capability and performance of current and future military systems," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president of Engineering for Raytheon Integrated Systems. "Under the WBGS program, we have the opportunity to combine research findings from multiple organizations, allowing us to develop and provide the most advanced technologies to help keep our warfighters and homeland safe."

Work under this contract will be performed by Raytheon IDS at the Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass., and the Surveillance and Sensors Center, Sudbury, Mass.

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

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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

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