TEWKSBURY, Mass., July 9, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $22 million U.S. Army contract option to provide 41 Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) tower systems with remote ground stations to protect U.S. Marine Corps forces in Iraq. These tower systems are in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Persistent Surveillance System initiative.

"The introduction of RAID into U.S. Marine Corps operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom is a testament to the value these systems provide to the warfighter," said Pete Franklin, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "These additional systems will offer the U.S. Marine Corps the same lifesaving persistent surveillance support currently benefiting the U.S. Army."

The contract calls for 41 elevated sensor systems, including remote operation capability, with deliveries beginning in September 2007. Work will be performed at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass., and at the Warfighter Protection Center, Huntsville, Ala. Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC will provide field support.

Raytheon first developed RAID to meet the military's increasingly critical need for persistent surveillance in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. RAID consists of infrared sensor systems elevated on a stationary platform capable of detecting hostile troop and equipment movement at great distances. This capability enables U.S. and coalition forces to respond rapidly to threatening situations.

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:
  Maureen Heard
  339.645.6664

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Maureen Heard of Raytheon Company, +1-339-645-6664

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