TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 26, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) has successfully completed the required objectives and task requirements for conducting risk reduction activities for the U.S. Air Force Space Fence S-band Radar program.

The scope of the effort included performing analyses, evaluations, prototyping, modeling and other technical activities to support the program's concept studies phase. Raytheon provided a final presentation to the Air Force and its contractor support team late last month.

The Space Fence program will provide a radar system operating in the S-band frequency range to detect and report orbiting space objects. The detection and mission processing function is currently being performed by the existing Air Force Space Surveillance System very high frequency (VHF) "Fence" radar. Operating for more than 40 years, the existing VHF Fence radar is becoming obsolete and does not meet current and future requirements for space situational awareness.

"Air Force Space Fence is a critical program for the Air Force as it moves forward to improve its space situational awareness capabilities with greater sensitivity, accuracy, and timeliness to meet warfighter requirements," said Mary Petryszyn, Raytheon IDS vice president of Joint Battlespace Integration. "This risk reduction phase of the program was an important step for our customer as it prepares for a system requirements review and ultimately the system development phase of the program. Raytheon IDS was able to demonstrate leadership in this critical mission area."

Raytheon IDS provided information in accordance with the risk reduction phase objectives of getting a clear definition of requirements prior to starting system development and design; identifying requirements and operations trade offs that impact the system development and design; identifying the key cost/schedule drivers and potential implementable cost/schedule mitigation approaches for the acquisition, operations and sustainment lifecycle of the system; and involving key stakeholders early in the program to facilitate an interchange of technical knowledge and ideas.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a strong international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), 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:
  Guy Shields
  978.858.5246

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Guy Shields of Raytheon Company, +1-978-858-5246

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