TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 3, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Working with Iridium Satellite LLC engineering and space system operations personnel, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has integrated a flight worthy Main Mission Antenna (MMA) with special test equipment to simulate on-orbit antenna performance. The team has also succeeded in developing updated antenna control software that will provide enhanced operational flexibility and more robust MMA performance.

"The satellite communication systems continue to deliver essential communication services to and from remote areas around the globe," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president Engineering for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "Raytheon is proud of its continuing role in ensuring the system's ability to provide superior worldwide coverage for our warfighters and essential industries."

Iridium Satellite provides global satellite voice and data communications solutions with complete coverage of the Earth. Its constellation consists of 66 low earth-orbiting, cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world.

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

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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