McKINNEY, Texas, Sept. 25, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army continues to standardize and upgrade its communications systems with the award of a $12 million contract to Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN).

The award for 15 Multiplexer Integration and Digital Communication Satellite Subsystem Automation Systems, or MIDAS, is part of a five-year, $48 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract awarded in 2004.

MIDAS, currently deployed by the Army, is designed to improve voice and data communications by providing more efficient and cost-effective data communications switching and routing functions. These functions allow geographically dispersed users, at all levels of security, immediate, automated access to voice, data, and video communications.

In addition to improving communications bandwidth, Raytheon's MIDAS design maintains interoperability with existing communications infrastructure and enables the Army to use its manpower more efficiently because of the system's simplified design. An added enhancement is its smaller size, which reduces the need for the rows of equipment and miles of cables previously required in worldwide Army communications facilities.

"MIDAS provides the Army and, more importantly, the warfighter an improved communications capability for infrastructure already fielded and in theater," said Jerry Powlen, vice president, Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communications Systems.

Raytheon Company, with 2005 sales of $21.9 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.

  Contact:
  MB Hodgkiss
  508.490.2607

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: MB Hodgkiss of Raytheon Company, +1-508-490-2607

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