WASHINGTON, April 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) in Philadelphia is the first Federal Aviation Administration facility to go live with fused Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast track data for aircraft surveillance.

ADS-B, a key foundation of the FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), enables the transition from ground-based to satellite-based air traffic control. Fusion allows a control system to combine surveillance reports from multiple sensors, including traditional radars, ADS-B and multi-lateration ground stations, into a single track. Fused tracks give air traffic controllers improved aircraft position and velocity estimates. This will help expand the airspace to safely reduce aircraft separation from five miles to three miles.

"This initial operational capability is a significant step in the evolution of Raytheon's terminal area modernization system and helps the FAA develop NextGen capabilities," said Andy Zogg, Raytheon Network Centric Systems vice president of Command and Control Systems. "Air traffic controllers are quickly gaining the added safety and efficiency benefits provided by our proven data-fusion tracker."

STARS is a joint procurement of the FAA and the Department of Defense. It is designed to replace capacity-constrained, older radar approach control facilities and towers. STARS equips air traffic controllers with critical operational information on aircraft position, flight data and weather conditions.

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