EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 23, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy is
retrofitting 135 Super Hornets with Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) APG-79
active electronically scanned array radar.
An initial contract worth nearly $55 million authorizes Raytheon to
supply 19 AESA systems, spares and maintenance. This ensures Super Hornets
manufactured before installation of the APG-79 will benefit from Raytheon's
new advanced sensor technology.
The APG-79 program is moving toward full-rate production in
anticipation of delivering 415 systems plus spares to the Navy and 24
systems to the Royal Australian Air Force in coming years.
"The retrofit program further enhances the Navy's airborne
capabilities, ensuring our customer has game-changing sensor technology
across the majority of its airborne assets," said Dr. Tom Kennedy, vice
president for Raytheon's Tactical Airborne Systems business.
"Our operational AESA radar delivers a range of advanced options
including non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,
high-speed transfer of actionable information, unparalleled situational
awareness, and targeting capabilities at greater ranges than ever."
Two AESA-equipped fleet squadrons are training for deployment expected
in 2008. They are the Black Lions of VFA-213 at Naval Air Station Oceana
and the Fighting Redcocks of VFA-22 at Naval Air Station Lemoore.
AESA-equipped Super Hornets are also being added to two training squadrons
so aircrews can learn how best to maximize the advanced capabilities of the
APG-79.
"The APG-79 AESA radar is the key sensor in the flight plan for the
Block II Super Hornets that will keep these aircraft dominant for decades,"
said Capt. Mark W. Darrah, F/A-18 and EA-18G Navy program manager. The
APG-79 AESA radar provides our warfighters with sensor data that will
revolutionize how we employ the F/A-18E/F block II and EA-18G platforms.
The radar serves as the key enabling capability to field F/A-18/ and EA-18G
flight plan elements.
"From operational and maintenance viewpoints, we believe this new
technology sets us apart and will give us the edge we need in the
challenging battlespace in which we expect to operate well into the
future."
Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $19.7 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 72,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
Faith Jennings
310.334.2554
310.977.1963 cell
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Faith Jennings of Raytheon Company,
+1-310-334-2554, cell +1-310-977-1963
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