PARIS, June 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to produce the first airborne tactical hyperspectral sensor system.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110619/NE21969 )

The Airborne Cueing and Exploitation System Hyperspectral, also known as ACES HY, is an infrared sensor system developed to identify targets based on their spectral characteristics.

In September 2010, Raytheon worked with the Air Force to successfully complete flight testing of ACES HY on a manned Twin Otter aircraft used as a surrogate for the MQ-1 Predator unmanned system.

"A solid partnership with the Air Force enabled rapid development and fielding of this hyperspectral system," said Tim Carey, vice president, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "It supports our customer with low-risk technology built on generations of successful Raytheon electro-optical infrared sensor systems. And we're committed to delivering reliable systems that keep our customers safe and help them achieve mission success."

As the prime systems integrator for ACES HY, Raytheon leads team members L3 Integrated Optical Systems and Space Computer Corporation in the effort. The ACES HY Program is managed by the U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Raytheon also manufactures the MTS family of sensor solutions, which recently marked more than 1 million hours of operational flight time.

Raytheon Company, with 2010 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 89 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 72,000 people worldwide.

For more on Raytheon's presence at the 2011 Paris Air Show please visit http://www.raytheon.com/media/parisair2011/ for multimedia downloads, features, technology spotlights and company news. Journalists may also follow Raytheon Company updates from the show on Twitter @raytheoncompany.

Contact:
Thais C. Conway
214.578.6115

SOURCE Raytheon Company