MCKINNEY, Texas, July 3, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will begin supplying improved AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon sights in December 2007, as part of the U.S. Army's Thermal Weapon Sight II Bridge program. The 60-month contract is with the U.S. Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center and covers thermal weapon sights for the Army and other services.

Initially, Raytheon Network Centric Systems will supply approximately 5,000 systems valued at more than $60 million. The indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity program is potentially worth $2.6 billion and could result in the delivery of up to 150,000 improved AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon sights during the 5-year, firm-fixed-price contract.

The Army's thermal weapon sight program consists of a family of advanced thermal imaging sensors that perform surveillance and targeting while improving combat effectiveness during day or night, in zero illumination, or in fog, smoke, dust and sand.

"With this award, Raytheon will continue to deliver thermal weapon sights our forces have relied upon since the Army fielded the first TWS in the 1990s," said Glynn Raymer, vice president of NCS Combat Systems. "This technology allows our warfighters to own the night and maintain the combat overmatch they deserve."

The latest sights will feature technology improvements that result in lower power requirements, reduced size and weight, and improved commonality making Mission Support more efficient and economical during the life of the equipment.

Raytheon was the first government-qualified supplier of AN/PAS-13 light, medium, and heavy thermal weapon sights and has delivered in excess of 28,000 to the Army, which is more than any other supplier.

The contract work will be executed primarily from the McKinney, Texas, manufacturing facility with assistance from Goleta, Calif., as well as other north Texas locations.

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:
  George Rhynedance
  703.284.4439

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: George Rhynedance of Raytheon Company, +1-703-284-4439

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