MARLBOROUGH, Mass., June 26, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- During a recent flight test, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully demonstrated breakthrough antenna technology that dramatically improves and delivers on the next generation of airborne communications for wide-body aircraft.

The Advanced Multiband Communication Antenna System (AMCAS), developed for the U.S. Air Force, is an extremely low-profile antenna that significantly reduces drag on an aircraft. Attaching to the aircraft skin, the antenna extends 8 1/2 inches. This solution, which simplifies installation and minimizes time out of service, is an affordable alternative to today's antennas, which require more extensive and complex installations and extend considerably farther from the aircraft's fuselage.

During the test, the AMCAS antenna, which is being evaluated for use with the Family of Advanced line-of-sight Terminals, communicated with the Milstar satellite's medium data rate waveform. FAB-T is the Air Force's next-generation communications system.

"This test highlights Raytheon's leadership in satellite communications and shows a clear path forward to delivering even higher data rates when the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite comes online," said Jerry Powlen, vice president, Network Centric Systems Integrated Communications Systems. "This technology is a promising alternative for troops on the ground, sailors at sea, and both international and commercial markets."

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.

Note to Editors:

AMCAS uses Raytheon's Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub technology, which was developed with ThinKom Solutions, Inc.

The AMCAS antenna was attached and flown on a Lincoln Laboratory 707 test bed aircraft.

    Contact:
    MB Hodgkiss
    508.490.2607

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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