TEWKSBURY, Mass., April 30, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a two-year, $7.5 million contract to develop an improved composite material for infrared windows and missile domes.

"The contract calls for the development of significantly enhanced materials and manufacturing processes compared to those currently in use for windows and aerodynamically shaped domes in the 3-5 micron mid-wave infrared band," said Mark Russell, vice president of engineering at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems.

The Phase 1 contract is being performed for the Office of Naval Research as part of DARPA's Nano-Composite Optical Ceramics program. The objective is to develop a processing method for the manufacture of infrared transparent missile domes capable of higher speed operation and greater particle impact resistance than sapphire, the current material. If options are exercised in subsequent phases, the full program has a potential value of $14.4 million.

"Phase 1 goals include achieving mid-wave infrared optical transmission exceeding that of spinel with mechanical properties greater than those of sapphire," said Rick Gentilman, Raytheon's program manager. "These efforts will include the development of new classes of infrared materials for windows and domes based on multi-phase nano-composites designed to be substantially stronger than existing single-phase infrared materials."

Joining Raytheon's project team are Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, the University of California-Davis and three small businesses -- Nanocerox, Ann Arbor, Mich.; CeraNova Marlborough, Mass.; and CBW Tech Services, Framingham, Mass.

Raytheon's work on the contract will be performed by its Integrated Defense Systems in Andover, Mass., and Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad 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, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
  Mike Nason
  703.419.1421

  Note to Editors:

This contract award was originally announced by the Department of Defense April 16, 2007.

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Mike Nason, +1-703-419-1421

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