FULLERTON, Calif., Aug. 1, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- ThalesRaytheonSystems Company (TRS) has been awarded a $130 million contract modification to provide spare parts to support the AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder weapon locating radars fielded by the U.S. Army.

The modification adds part numbers and increases quantities of critical spare parts to ensure radar readiness for the Army's weapon locating radars worldwide, including those deployed in current operating theaters. This award brings the total value of the contract to more than $220 million.

The Firefinder contract provides for more than 18,500 deliverable spare parts covering more than 150 part-types for both the medium and long range detection radars. Deliveries began in June 2005 and will continue through December 2007.

Due to the increased operational usage of the Firefinder radars, ThalesRaytheonSystems and CECOM (U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command) worked closely on an urgent basis to bring this contract to fruition in a very short period of time.

ThalesRaytheonSystems is quickly responding to the critical urgency of this requirement. "We are taking extreme steps to increase our capacity to support Army requirements," said John Coulson, TRS program manager. "The company is adding second shifts where necessary to boost capacity, and we are working diligently with our key suppliers to improve deliveries." ThalesRaytheonSystems and its supplier base have placed a high priority on this spare parts program to ensure the "Eyes of the Artillery" continue to meet the Army's operational needs.

The TPQ-36 and TPQ-37 radars automatically detect, track and locate enemy mortars, artillery and rocket launchers allowing friendly forces to engage the hostile targets with pinpoint accuracy. The TPQ-36 radar is specifically designed to counter medium range enemy weapon systems out to a range of 24 kilometers while the TPQ-37 can locate longer range systems, to include surface launched missiles, out to 50 kilometers.

ThalesRaytheonSystems is an equally owned transatlantic joint venture (JV) between Raytheon Company and Thales Group. ThalesRaytheonSystems is a worldwide supplier of air defense command and control centers (ADCC) and ground based battlefield radars. Annual income is close to 700 million dollars with close to 2000 people employed.

   Contacts:
   In the United States                       In Europe
   Patricia Perlini                           Isabelle Blackburn
   972-952-4033                               +33.1.69.75.5098

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/