TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. and its allies will soon have an enhanced ability to detect and defend against missile launches by hostile nations and entities. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $125.3 million contract to modernize and add new capability to an Air Force early warning radar (EWR) system.

The upgraded EWR (UEWR), a high-powered mission-critical radar, will continue providing early warning of missile launches and space surveillance. The UEWR also adds a new capability – providing targeting data that can be used to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles.

"Raytheon drew on its seven decades of experience designing, developing, building and operating radars to offer the government a cost-effective solution that will help keep America and its allies safe from enemy missiles," said Dave Gulla, vice president of Global Integrated Sensors for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "Our experience as the designer and developer of the proven EWR, and our experience upgrading EWR systems in California, the U.K. and Greenland, enable us to provide the government a low-risk solution at a very competitive price."

The EWR that Raytheon will upgrade is a large phased-array radar in Clear, Alaska. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. The upgrade will use the existing phased-array radar face and add enhanced electronics and software to improve performance and target detection. During the upgrade work, the currently deployed EWRs will continue operation, uninterrupted, safeguarding the U.S. and its allies.

About the UEWR
The upgraded radar will continue to perform as part of the Missile Warning and Space Surveillance Networks, and will be integrated into the MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System as part of the layered defense of the United States.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 90 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. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Note to Editors
The upgrade is funded jointly by the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Air Force. Work will also include a signal and data processor rehost for the existing UEWR at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. The contract includes options for an EWR upgrade at Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.

The Department of Defense previously announced this contract award on July 24, 2012.

Media Contact
Mike Nachshen
+1.520.269.5697
idspr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company