FULLERTON, Calif., April 25, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- ThalesRaytheonSystems fielded the first Improved Sentinel radar to the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Bliss, Texas, today.

The fielding signifies a major step forward in the Army's plans to implement its P3I (pre-planned product improvement) program for the Sentinel radar. Prior to the fielding, a government-ThalesRaytheonSystems modernized radar team successfully completed the Army's rigorous test requirements, clearing the way for use in the field.

The advanced capabilities of the modernized radar have been proved in extensive testing to increase the radar's performance, reliability and maintainability. Resulting benefits to the warfighter include increased detection and acquisition ranges, improved target classification and better detection of small targets in both clear and cluttered environments.

The Sentinel radar is the premier air surveillance and target acquisition/tracking sensor for the U.S. Army Cruise Missile Defense Systems program. It is a highly mobile, three-dimensional, phased-array, ground-based air defense radar system that operates in the X-band. It automatically detects, tracks, identifies, classifies and reports airborne threats, including helicopters, high-speed attack aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Two production contracts for Sentinel modernization were awarded to ThalesRaytheonSystems by the U.S. Army in 2003 and 2004 as part of its plan to modernize the entire Sentinel fleet.

"The Improved Sentinel represents a successful joint development between the U.S. Army and ThalesRaytheonSystems," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer, ThalesRaytheonSystems, U.S. operations. "This collaboration has resulted in providing the warfighter with a battlefield sensor of exceptional capability."

Accurate and quick reacting, with the ability to acquire targets far enough forward of friendly units, the Sentinel radar allows air defense weapon systems to engage hostile targets at optimum ranges. Sentinel is also the designated radar for the U.S. Army's SLAMRAAM (Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) system.

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.

   Contact:
   In the United States               In Europe
   Vicki Boatman                      Matt Pothecary
   714.446.4600                       +33.1.69.75.5098

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: U.S.: Vicki Boatman, +1-714-446-4600, or Europe: Matt Pothecary,
+33-1-69-75-5098, both for Raytheon Company

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