MCKINNEY, Texas, Aug. 16  /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN)
Network Centric Systems (NCS) will develop three new ground sensors to equip
U.S. Army Future Combat Systems (FCS) vehicles with advanced capabilities to
protect troops and platforms, increase mission success and support network-
enabled warfare.

    Working under awards valued at $222.9 million, NCS will develop and
produce the following new sensors:  the Medium Range Electro-Optical Infrared
(EO/IR) sensor, the Combat Identification (CID) sensor and the Multi-function
Radio Frequency (MFRF) sensor.  All will be integrated into FCS vehicles.

    "NCS delivered the winning combination of technical strengths and a lower-
risk approach for the development of these three sensors," said Steve Marion,
senior program director for FCS Supplier Management with the Boeing-SAIC Lead
Systems Integrator.

    The Medium Range EO/IR sensor is one of the most advanced image processing
systems in the world.  Its reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities help
soldiers recognize and identify targets day or night, in all weather.  In
addition, it accurately geo-locates and designates targets for line-of-sight
and non-line of sight fire using optics, wide area search, multi-spectral
image processing, active illumination (short wave infrared) with laser
designation and range finders.  Because it can contribute accurate target geo-
location data to the Common Operating Picture, the Medium Range sensor
enhances battlefield situational awareness and supports network-enabled
warfare.  The program's four-year value is $75.3 million.

    The Combat Identification (CID) sensor suite is a secure "question and
answer" system that employs millimeter wave technology on vehicles and laser/
radio frequency technology on dismounted soldiers to determine the "friend or
foe" status of other vehicles and soldiers on the battlefield.  In this way,
CID sensors help troops to avoid fratricide and increase combat effectiveness
during operations with NATO and coalition forces.  Based on Raytheon's
Battlefield Target Identification System, CID is a three-year, $29.6 million
program.

    The Multi-function Radio Frequency (MFRF) sensor uses sophisticated,
stealthy radar to alert a vehicle's on-board protection systems that the
vehicle is under attack by anti-armor weapons or other imminent threats.  The
MFRF warns the crew to take defensive action while its radar quickly and
precisely targets the threat.  The MFRF also provides ground-to-air-
communication, combat identification, long-range surveillance and intrusion
monitoring.  These capabilities are packaged in a small, light-weight and
highly reliable system.  The MFRF program's four-year value is $118 million.

    The three NCS sensors and several sensors developed by other companies
were selected as the result of a competitive acquisition managed by Raytheon,
which serves as the FCS program's Ground Sensor Integrator.  The evaluation of
competing proposals was conducted by a team that included personnel from the
FCS Lead Systems Integrator, The Boeing Company, as well as from Science
Applications International Company (SAIC) and the Army.  The sensor contracts
were awarded by Raytheon.

    FCS is the defining element of the U.S. Army's Objective Force.  It
employs networking, an array of sensors and information fusion to achieve
unprecedented levels of situational awareness and operation synchronization.
FCS's new capabilities-networked sensors, advanced command and control, agile
platforms, and precision effects-will support the Army's full participation in
network-enabled warfare.

    Raytheon NCS has more than 30 years' experience in sensor development and
deployment.  The company pioneered 1st and 2nd generation forward-looking
infrared (FLIR) technology, has advanced the maturity of 3rd generation FLIRs
and has developed sensors for every major combat vehicle in the U.S. Army's
inventory.  FCS work will be distributed across four NCS sites including one
facility in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and three facilities in McKinney, Plano and
Dallas, Texas.

    Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2003 sales of $18.1 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 78,000 people worldwide.

    Note to editors:

    Work will be conducted as follows: Medium Range sensor, Plano and Dallas,
Texas; Combat Identification, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Multi-function Radar,
McKinney, Texas.

    Raytheon sensors will be integrated on FCS vehicles such as the Infantry
Carrier, the Mounted Combat System, the Multi-functional Utility, Logistics
and Equipment (MULE) vehicle and others.


  Contact:
   Patricia Perlini
   972.952.4033


SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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