MCKINNEY, Texas, Oct. 27, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) advanced Airborne Optical Sensor system is now an integral part of the Missile Defense Agency's experimentation with forward-deployed, advanced infrared sensors for missile defense applications.

"Raytheon is proud to provide this technology to the Missile Defense Agency," said Tim Carey, vice president for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems. "Our Airborne Optical Sensor system allows operators to have an 'unblinking eye' over areas of interest and allows the Missile Defense Agency to locate, identify and track missile targets that could potentially threaten the U.S., its allies, and deployed troops."

AOSS is part of Raytheon's family of multi-spectral targeting systems and is currently being examined by the Missile Defense Agency as a forward-deployed, advanced airborne infrared sensor.

Raytheon Multi-Spectral Targeting System provides long-range surveillance, high-altitude target acquisition and tracking of threat ballistic missiles. These systems build on Raytheon's affordable, combat-proven systems that currently provide critical information to U.S. and coalition forces through superior image quality in day and night environments.

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