TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $5 million Defense Acquisition Challenge contract for the company's Quiet Eyes Laser Turret Assembly (QELTA). Quiet Eyes is a key component of Raytheon's Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) aircraft protection system.

Through the DAC program, the Department of Defense awards development contracts to companies that offer technologies with cost-saving potential.

"Raytheon was selected for this award because of our history of providing the military with products on schedule and below cost," said Mike Booen, Raytheon's vice president of Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems. "This is the second time Raytheon's DIRCM technology was selected for a DAC award. Quiet Eyes is a mature system that is ready for integration aboard a wide range of fixed-wing aircraft."

As part of the QELTA contract, Raytheon will demonstrate successful integration of its light-weight, low-cost, highly reliable Quiet Eyes turret with a rugged quantum cascade laser (QCL) for large fixed-wing aircraft. The QELTA contract period of performance is less than nine months.

Daylight Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daylight Solutions, is the subcontractor providing the QCL system for the QELTA contract.

"Daylight's QCL technology represents a significant advancement in laser capabilities and DIRCM system reliability," said Booen.

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