TEWKSBURY, Mass., Nov. 28, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $52 million contract for the low rate initial production of nine new AN/AQS-20A sonar mine detecting sets, spares and their accompanying kits.

The award represents the exercising of options under the Navy's existing AN/AQS-20A contract with Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, bringing the total contract value to $191 million and increasing the total number of systems ordered to 20.

AN/AQS-20A, a key component of the U.S. Navy's organic mine countermeasures strategy, has been integrated into the MH-60S, MH-53E airborne mine countermeasures helicopter and the remote mine hunting system. It provides critical capabilities in support of mine-clearing operations in both deep-ocean and littoral waters by enabling the detection, classification and localization of bottom, close-tethered and volume mines.

"The Navy has performed extensive testing on the system, running it through a broad range of scenarios on numerous platforms, and the results have been outstanding," said Gary Humes, program manager at the U.S. Navy's Mine Warfare program office (PMS-495). "AN/AQS-20A continues to perform exceptionally, providing an invaluable asset to the Navy's mine countermeasure strategy."

The proven and highly capable AN/AQS-20A system is towed undersea to scan the water in front and to the sides of the vehicle, as well as the sea bottom for anti-shipping mines. The system uses sonar and electro-optical sensors to provide high-resolution images of mines and mine-like objects, as well as high-precision location information.

AN/AQS-20A is modular, lightweight and produced under spiral development, enabling continuous improvement, serviceability and plug-and-play capability. Additionally, the system's advanced technology combines with commercial off- the-shelf components to significantly reduce production costs and allows for easy upgrade and replacement of individual assembly parts. A significant benefit of AN/AQS-20A is its modularity, a capability that allows the Navy to operate the system across a variety of platforms.

Under the contract, Raytheon will deliver nine AN/AQS-20A sonar mine- detecting sets, seven installation kit electronics equipment packages and two remote minehunting system towed body modification kits. To date, the company has delivered 10 AN/AQS-20A systems to the Navy. The system is currently undergoing technical evaluation as part of the Navy's mine countermeasure operational testing - the final stage before official fleet deployment.

AN/AQS-20A engineering and support services will be performed at Raytheon IDS' Maritime Mission Center, Portsmouth, R.I., and by Arete Associates, 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:
  Carolyn Beaudry
  401.842.3550

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Carolyn Beaudry of Raytheon Company, +1-401-842-3550

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