MARLBOROUGH, Mass., May 21, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) MicroLight™ radio has been selected by the Thales Prime Contracting Management Office, acting on behalf of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, as the core communications system for the operational effectiveness trials in the assessment phase of the U.K.'s Future Integrated Soldier Technology, or FIST, program.

FIST is a tri-service program to enhance the combat effectiveness of infantry teams in the 21st century. MicroLight is a family of wideband, software-defined radios that simultaneously provide voice, data, video, situational awareness and tracking information.

"The U.K. trials for FIST are a welcome opportunity to demonstrate MicroLight's ability to perform in the most challenging environments," said Jerry Powlen, vice president, Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communications Systems. "In addition to being available now, MicroLight provides an ad hoc networking solution suited to the dynamic operations carried out by infantry soldiers engaged in close combat situations today."

Raytheon is partnering on FIST with Cobham Defence Communications, Wimborne, Dorset, U.K. Cobham is providing the battle management system.

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.

Cobham plc, with 2005 sales of 1bn pounds sterling, is an international aerospace and defence company that specializes in the provision of components, subsystems and services that keep people safe, improve communications and enhance the performance of aerospace and defence platforms. With headquarters in Wimborne, Dorset, U.K., Cobham employs 10,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
  MB Hodgkiss
  Raytheon Company
  508.490.2607

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

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

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