MCKINNEY, Texas, March 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) reached a milestone in January with delivery of its 414th Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared pod to the U.S. Navy six months ahead of schedule.

"This delivery reflects the true team effort, the open communication, and the tremendous amount of work, energy and skill by Raytheon and the Naval Air Systems Command," said Tim Carey, vice president for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems. "The delivery also demonstrates Raytheon's commitment to meeting our customer's requirements."

Operating at full production and eligible for foreign military sales, ATFLIR is the Navy's program of record for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Raytheon also manufactures the pod for the air forces of Australia and Switzerland.

The first fully qualified ATFLIR pod was deployed in 2002. Eight years later, it remains the only targeting pod certified for carrier operations.

ATFLIR provides superior long-range target tracking and recognition, pinpoint targeting, high lethality, and enhanced aircraft survivability. Proved in combat with more than 500,000 operational flight hours, ATFLIR recognizes and tracks targets at altitudes and ranges substantially greater than other systems can.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 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 88 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 75,000 people worldwide.

SOURCE Raytheon Company