TEWKSBURY, Mass., June 9, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a 12-month contract to develop the preliminary design of a 100 kilowatt experimental Free Electron Laser for the U.S. Navy. This preliminary design is the first of a three-phase ONR Innovative Naval Prototype program worth more than $150 million.

"Free Electron Lasers use superconducting electron accelerators to produce high-power laser beams," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president of Engineering for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "In the future, such high power lasers could be used to instantaneously engage targets at long ranges, enhancing the U.S. Navy's ability to combat enemies and threats at sea."

To develop this cutting-edge technology, Raytheon is implementing its OpenAIR™ business model and is teaming with experts from the Department of Energy laboratories, industry and academia across the country.

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

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