FULLERTON, Calif., Dec. 7, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- A new command and control (C2) system developed by ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) recently passed its interoperability tests, earning itself the U.S. Air Force Systems Interoperability Test (AFSIT) certification and positioning the system one step closer to fielding.

Called Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F), the new capability will support military and homeland security missions. Air Force certification is a major step in preparing BCS-F for use by NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). This rigorous certification designates that the system is fully capable of seamless data exchange among Air Force units employing a variety of modern and legacy tactical data links.

BCS-F is a next-generation air sovereignty system that serves as the early warning mechanism in the vital U.S. homeland security mission. Advanced technology incorporates increased sensor capacity and improves interoperability among hundreds of legacy sensors, including more types of radars than any other Air Force system. The system correlates and fuses data from airborne, ground and naval elements and civil air traffic sensors into an integrated air picture that allows commanders to surveil and monitor the airspace above, beyond and within the U.S. and Canadian borders. Additionally, the system will monitor threats internal to U.S. and Canadian borders, providing a major component for homeland defense.

In the event of potential aerospace attacks, the BCS-F will give the North American Aerospace Defense Command's 1st Air Force and Pacific Command an integrated air defense and C2 platform to support their air sovereignty, air defense and homeland defense missions.

BCS-F communicates via the military's most advanced secure data links and translates for, and acts as, a gateway among systems that are not interoperable today.

"We worked closely with our Air Force partners to meet the system's stringent interoperability standards," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer of TRS, U.S. operations. "We believe that Air Force commanders will have unquestioned confidence in BCS-F's accuracy and reliability."

ThalesRaytheonSystems is an equally owned transatlantic joint venture between Raytheon Company and Thales Group. ThalesRaytheonSystems is a worldwide supplier of air defense command and control centers and ground-based battlefield radars. The company's annual revenue is $700 million, and it employs 1,500 people.

   Contacts:

   In the United States               In Europe
   Vicki Boatman                      Isabelle Blackburn
   714-446-4600                       +33.1.69.75.5098

SOURCE: ThalesRaytheonSystems

CONTACT: Vicki Boatman, In the United States, +1-714-446-4600, or
Isabelle Blackburn, In Europe, +33-1-69-75-5098, both of
ThalesRaytheonSystems

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