WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Technical Services Company (RTSC) LLC, a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, has agreed in principle to team with M7 Aerospace to offer worldwide maintenance operations for the U.S. Army's Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA) program. M7 Aerospace currently provides contractor logistics support to the U.S. Army's fleet of C-23 Sherpa aircraft.

Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is leading the FCA program capture and execution effort with EADS CASA North America, which would oversee U.S. production aspects for the CN-235 and C-295 aircraft.

The planned FCA acquisition will provide the Army with a new fixed-wing transport aircraft capable of performing rapid-response intra-theater missions with cargo, equipment and soldiers, as well as medevac duties and airdrop delivery. As prime contractor for Team FCA, Raytheon Company is providing program management, mission systems integration and mission support solutions. EADS CASA North America would assemble and deliver the FCA in the United States.

"M7 Aerospace's experience supporting the Sherpa brings an incredible know-how to our combat-proven mission support team for FCA," said Bryan J. Even, president of RTSC, which is leading total life cycle support for Team FCA.

"M7 is proud of our intensive experience in supporting the C-23 Sherpa in theater operations in Southwest Asia," said Harold (Mac) Williams, M7 Aerospace CEO. "We are pleased to partner with Team FCA for the next generation intra-theater airlift support program."

Under the agreement, M7 Aerospace will staff field sites and provide field teams to service aircraft away from their home bases, including some at overseas locations. In depot related activity, M7 will perform major inspections, maintenance and modifications to the aircraft. M7 will be responsible for maintaining a high operational readiness rate for the fleet.

More information about Team FCA can be found at http://www.team-futurecargoaircraft.com/.

Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services and special-mission aircraft. Headquartered in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

  Contacts:
   SAS                          RTSC
   Sabrina Steele               Kristin Patterson Jones
   310.647.9067                 703.295.2534

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/
http://www.team-futurecargoaircraft.com/