STAFFORD, Va., Nov. 1, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will partner with the Marine Corps Systems Command as the primary integrator for a human factors laboratory facility that will study potential improvements in the effectiveness of the equipment Marine squads carry into battle.

Located in Stafford and opening on Nov. 1, the facility will be known as the "Gruntworks." It will analyze the equipment Marine riflemen carry in terms of loading, logistics, human factors and combat effectiveness with a view toward making changes that increase efficiency, personal protection and survivability.

"This is a revolutionary step in making our ground Marines more agile, lethal, and survivable," said Lt. Gen. Jim Amos, commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. "This capability will increase our ability to protect Marines in the future."

Raytheon will act as the systems integrator for this first-ever Marine infantry laboratory facility, working closely with the program management office for the Marine Expeditionary Squad, which will provide an overall systems approach and oversight to the work done with the squad equipment.

At the Gruntworks, the Marine Corps will evaluate the best industry, government, academic, and foreign solutions offered. From there it will determine through simulation and human systems integration and modeling if new technology can be integrated into the squad equipment set to make it more effective and more reliable in future versions.

Diagnostic equipment available at the Gruntworks will include vehicle and aircraft mock ups for use in analyzing the amount of individual equipment Marines bring in ground and air transports. Additionally, the Office of Naval Research will fund a virtual training facility at the Gruntworks called the Immersive Infantry Trainer. This capability will allow Marines and laboratory personnel to test equipment in a virtual, combat-like environment.

Raytheon has two partners providing critical support to the effort. They will provide the Marines with on-site integration, modeling and simulation for the development of the squad systems.

WESCO, a Helena, Mont.-based information technology company, is providing services and developing a knowledge management system tailored to the Marine Corps and the Gruntworks facility so that critical data collection is captured, archived and available in a user-friendly computer system.

HUMANSYSTEMS, Inc., is an Ontario, Canada-based human factors consulting firm that will provide expertise in human performance integration and testing that is based on years of support to the Canadian and U.S. militaries.

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/