LONDON, Oct. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.K. Ministry of Defence selected the Raytheon U.K., Thales U.K. team to conduct a one-year study into upgrading existing Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems to Mode 5, which will address NATO's requirement for a new standard of IFF across all platforms.

The two companies are offering the Thales Bluegate products covering the majority of naval and land system Mode 5 Interrogator applications, as well as, Raytheon UK's IFF4810 Mode 5 upgrade solution for most air and naval Mode 5 transponder uses. Raytheon and Thales' IFF Mode 5 subsystems use a common US-sourced KIV-77 Mode 4/5 cryptographic computer, which is more secure, deception resistant and already in service with U.S. armed forces.

The Raytheon Thales Team is uniquely positioned, being the IFF incumbents on more than 97% of the platforms involved in the Mode 5 upgrade.  The low risk approach builds on prior Authority and company investment in SIFF and Mode 5 while benefiting from the lessons learnt during the successful delivery of the SIFF capability.

"The Raytheon and Thales collaboration combines our technical knowledge, proven equipment and long collaborative experience with the MoD," said Richard Daniel, Raytheon U.K. chief executive. "We are set to provide the fastest and most cost efficient solution which will exploit our SIFF installed base and provide proven low risk upgrades to the UK legacy platforms."

"By bringing together best-in-class capability and extensive knowledge of UK platforms from both companies, we will deliver a low risk and cost effective solution to this important U.K. program," said Victor Chavez, Thales U.K. CEO. "Our respective companies have already delivered Mode 5 IFF to a number of NATO forces and this programme gives us the opportunity to extend this critical upgrade to UK platforms to maintain their interoperability in future NATO coalition forces."

Raytheon's established SIFF support infrastructure aided the fleet-wide introduction of Mode S upgrades in recent years, establishing a proven model for delivery of the Mode 5 upgrade.

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners.

Thales UK employs 7,500 staff based at 35 locations. In 2013 Thales UK's revenues were around £1.3 billion. Visit us at www.thalesgroup.com

About Raytheon UK
Raytheon UK is a subsidiary of Raytheon Company. It is a prime contractor and major supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence and has developed strong capabilities in mission systems integration in defence, national security and commercial markets. Raytheon UK also designs, develops and manufactures a range of high-technology electronic systems and software at facilities in Harlow, Glenrothes, Uxbridge, Waddington and Broughton.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 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 cyber security and 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.

Media Contacts

Raytheon UK 
1 George Street
Uxbridge, UB8 1QQ

Nick West
01895 816207
internationalpr@raytheon.com  

Thales UK
2 Dashwood Lang Road
Addlestone, Surrey KT 15 2NX

John Warehand
07817 455409
john.warehand@thalesgroup.com  

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SOURCE Raytheon Company