MCKINNEY, Texas, Jan. 10, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Special Operations Command has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $135.4 million contract to develop a new tactical radar for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

Formally signed Dec. 12, 2006, and initially funded at $28.5 million, the system design and development contract calls for Raytheon to build, test and integrate the new Silent Knight radar. The system will serve as a common multi-mode terrain following/terrain avoidance radar for a variety of platforms including the MH-47G helicopter, the lead aircraft for the program.

The cost plus incentive fee contract, potentially valued at more than $164 million, contains an option for six low rate initial production units. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems is performing the work in Dallas and McKinney, Texas. Principal partners include AIC, Crestview, Fla.; DRS Technologies, St. Louis, Mo.; and Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"This win continues Raytheon's leadership in the tactical radar marketplace," said Mike Proch, vice president, Raytheon Precision, Attack and Surveillance Systems. "For our special operations forces customer, that means the expertise and experience to provide a low-risk, high-performance radar that meets its demanding mission requirements."

The Silent Knight radar will allow airborne forces safe low-level flight and safe ingress and egress in adverse environments. The system will also provide navigation support, ground mapping and weather information to air crews. The new radar will include advances in terrain following and avoidance capabilities and will be lighter and require less power than predecessors. As a common system, Silent Knight eventually will be fielded on MH-60M, MC-130H, and CV-22 block 30 aircraft.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems is the leading provider of sensor systems giving warfighters the most accurate and timely information available for the network-centric battlefield. With 2005 revenues of $4.2 billion and 13,000 employees, SAS is headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., with additional facilities in Goleta, Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several international locations.

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.

Note to Editors

This contract award was originally announced by the Department of Defense on Dec. 11, 2006.

  Contact:
  Dave Desilets
  972.952.2239

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Dave Desilets of Raytheon Company, +1-972-952-2239

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