FALLS CHURCH, Va., Aug. 16, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a contract by iXP Corporation to design and develop the Portable Electronic Command Board System (PECB) program that will overhaul the Fire Department of New York's (FDNY) manual command boards by using wireless technology.

The PECB will enable FDNY commanders to quickly and efficiently manage firefighters, equipment, emergency medical teams, and other emergency personnel during emergency situations. Raytheon's portion of the contract is valued at up to $6.6 million over the three-year life of the contract.

The FDNY PECB program is intended to electronically replicate the existing Portable Command Board functionality with several added capabilities. These include wirelessly backhauling PECB information to the FDNY Data Center; providing for central storage; forwarding of that information to the FDNY Operation Center at FDNY Headquarters; and packaging the PECB in a rugged, easily deployable, transportable, self-contained unit. The technical approach is based upon the integration of innovative software for enabling collaborative incident command functionality to create dynamic situation awareness.

"Raytheon is pleased to work with iXP Corporation to deliver a first-class solution to the FDNY," said Dr. Hugo Poza, vice president of the Raytheon Homeland Security Strategic Business Area. "The collaboration of Raytheon and iXP is a force multiplier for the FDNY. Through our combined experience and technological leadership, we will significantly enhance the PECB and enable the FDNY to manage all incidents seamlessly."

The PECB is being implemented by Raytheon Information Solutions, in cooperation with the company's Homeland Security Strategic Business Area, and Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business.

"Our team is focused on providing a set of tools to incident commanders that aid in firefighting as well as in improving the safety of personnel working in this hazardous environment," said Andy Zangle, vice president and FDNY account manager with iXP Corporation. "Our incident command solution tracks firefighters and EMS personnel working at inherently chaotic emergency incidents, and Raytheon's track record of providing excellent solutions to its customers will serve the FDNY in meeting its objectives. We are excited to have Raytheon as a member of our team."

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

iXP Corporation is a national system integration and consulting company dedicated to the public safety and emergency response markets. In partnership with its customers, iXP's services deliver confidence in emergency communications through the evaluation, design, integration, implementation and on-going management of emergency communications systems and technology. The company is nationally recognized for its significant expertise in emergency 911 telecommunications, emergency communications center integration and implementation, emergency voice and data communications, and regional interoperability. Representative clients include New York City Police and Fire Departments, City of Boston Police, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Constellation Energy Group, and St. Mary's County, Maryland. For more information, please visit http://www.ixpcorp.com/.

  Contact:
  Darci Bushey
  303.344.6608

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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