WASHINGTON, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is developing a service-oriented architecture (SOA) framework capable of providing unmanned aircraft systems with a mechanism that enables rapid integration of weapons and sensors.

The SOA framework on a UAS is analogous to the hardware and operating system used by a tablet computer. A domain manager is analogous to a computer application. In this case, the framework provides the necessary infrastructure while the apps control the weapons, sensors, communications and other vital UAS mission-level functions.

"Raytheon's SOA solution could make expensive rewrites of UAS proprietary software a thing of the past," said Bob Francois, vice president of Advanced Missiles and Unmanned Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Our open, service-oriented infrastructure can exist separately from the flight-critical software of the UAS. Raytheon's system is plug and play, non-proprietary and platform independent."

Raytheon's framework resides on a computing platform sized to fit within the available space on a wide variety of unmanned aircraft. Raytheon has completed development of an effects domain manager for sensor and weapon integration and is creating other domain managers for key UAS functions.

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.

www.raytheon.com

Contact:
Mike Nachshen
520.269.5697 (mobile)

SOURCE Raytheon Company