TEWKSBURY, Mass., Nov. 5, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and small business partner KaZaK Composites Inc., Woburn, Mass., have completed the design phase of the composite ballistic screen for integration onboard the Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000).

With the U.S. Navy, Raytheon and KaZaK recently celebrated as the technology formally transitioned to Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III production - a critical milestone for an SBIR program.

"This project has set a benchmark for how Navy, industry and SBIR acquisition teams can leverage the expertise of a talented and agile small business, such as KaZaK, to meet real warfighter needs with advanced yet affordable technology," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) Michael Sosin, vice president of Integrated Warfare Systems and Zumwalt program manager. "This process demonstrated Raytheon's leadership in design and cross-team collaboration to drive to the Phase III production goal set by our customer."

Working closely with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) acquisition team, Raytheon and KaZaK initiated an accelerated design, prototyping and test program in 2008. Multiple design iterations were explored during preliminary design through concurrent engineering coordination between Raytheon and Zumwalt national team partners Bath Iron Works and BAE Systems.

The prototype and subsequent full-scale designs were iterated and validated through successful live-fire testing in 2008 and 2009. NAVSEA provided a prime contract modification to Raytheon for mission systems equipment. This enabled a SBIR Phase III subcontract award to KaZaK in September 2009 for long-lead material to produce the ballistic screens for the first two Zumwalt ship sets.

The Small Business Innovation Research program was established by Congress in 1982 with a statutory purpose to strengthen the role of innovative small business concerns in federally funded research or research and development (R/R&D). Specific program purposes are to stimulate technological innovation; use small business to meet federal R/R&D needs; foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses in working in technological innovation; and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R/R&D, thereby increasing competition, productivity and economic growth.

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:
    Carolyn Beaudry
    401.842.3550

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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