WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Admiral Thad W. Allen (USCG-Ret.) has been honored with the Government Security News/Raytheon Award for "Distinguished Leadership and Innovation in Public Safety and Security," a deserving recognition for a national leader with nearly four decades of outstanding public service.

The award culminated the Government Security News' annual awards dinner on Monday, Nov. 14, 2011. The event was held before a large audience of federal, state, county and municipal government officials, along with vendors of IT and physical security products. Many in these groups were also honored during the evening in a program that celebrated the successful public-private partnership between government and business in keeping the nation safe and vigilant.

The GSN/Raytheon Award is the publication's highest public safety accolade. It was created to honor extraordinary individuals who, by virtue of their personal integrity, leadership skills and innovative thinking, contribute in a meaningful way to the public's safety and well-being. Raytheon's discriminating technologies and capabilities in civil communications and a wide range of security solutions for border security and critical infrastructure protection are the foundation of its strong presence in the public safety market. 

Daniel J. Crowley, president of Raytheon Network Centric Systems, said, "Admiral Allen is a public servant of remarkable talent and devotion, and exemplifies the best in leadership qualities and innovative thinking. Raytheon is honored to bestow this premier award on such an accomplished individual."

In a videotape of his acceptance remarks, Allen, who was unable to attend the dinner because of a previous commitment, talked about the critical need for interoperable communications capabilities for first responders. "We need to get to a national system that allows interoperable voice, data and video communications when and where we need it, because it is happening in the private sector in our daily lives with our hand-held devices. We can't waste any more time in not putting these capabilities in the hands of our first responders."

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, (NYSE: RTN) 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 about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.

Note to Editors
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Media Contact
Sue Cushing
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SOURCE Raytheon Company