OMAHA, Neb., June 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Air Force has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $21.8 million contract for modifications to the Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) program for next-generation weather systems.

The award was made by the Electronic Systems Center of the Air Force Materiel Command at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

JET provides actionable environmental intelligence and tailored network-centric solutions supporting warfighters on base and in deployed operations. The system assists warfighter decision-making by enabling command and control systems with integrated terrestrial and space environmental information.

This contract for Increment 2 of the program focuses on the integration, consolidation, extension and potential replacement of existing and evolving meteorological operational capabilities.

"JET will substantially enhance battlespace awareness and mission execution for our military forces around the world," said Gerard Wittman, director of Raytheon Space and Environmental Mission Solutions.

Weather forecasters reap benefits from JET's robust rules engine and central repository that automates routine processes, alerting users to operational impacts from environmental changes. Additionally, JET is Web-enabled and uses display systems for regional and base units, making it easier to access information.

JET engineering development and integration is based at Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems' Omaha, Neb., site.  

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