RESTON, Va., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has
been awarded a $64.8 million contract by the Jordan armed forces to upgrade
their M60A3 main battle tanks with Raytheon's Integrated Fire Control System
(IFCS).
Raytheon will manufacture and test 82 IFCS upgrade kits in Indianapolis
and will provide technical assistance to Jordan armed forces personnel during
the installation in Jordan. Spares and depot-maintenance equipment to
establish a limited depot-support capability in Jordan will also be provided
under this contract.
Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC) has been working with
Jordan's King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) for the past
three years on its Phoenix Level 1 IFCS upgrade and Level 2 lethality upgrade
efforts for the M60 main battle tank, a program designed to incrementally
increase the M60's operational capability. Through that effort, one battalion
has been fitted with this upgrade capability and deployed and is in-service
with the Jordan armed forces; a second battalion is currently being outfitted
with the upgrade. More than 2,000 rounds have already been successfully fired
using the Phoenix Level 1 upgraded tanks.
"With this award, Jordan armed forces will fully equip their entire fleet
of M60A3 main battle tanks," said Jim Blum, program manager for fire control
systems at RTSC. "This upgrade improves the M60's firepower capability and
survivability by offering a significant improvement in first-round hit
capability."
"This award is the result of a very successful teaming with Jordan's
KADDB," added Keith Harmon, RTSC vice president and general manager of the
Indianapolis business unit. "Raytheon will be providing IFCS maintenance
training to the Jordanian personnel and their work force will be doing the
actual installation work, providing jobs in the country. Through these and
future activities, Raytheon is working with KADDB to contribute to Jordan's
economic development. For us, it provides an opening to advance the sale of
the IFCS upgrade throughout the Middle East region."
The IFCS modernization resolves the logistics problems and increased
obsolescence issues the M60 main battle tank's existing fire-control system
experiences. The pre-upgrade sight system technology also limits the accuracy
and the mobility of the tank. The IFCS upgrade provides the M60 with a true
shoot-on-the-move capability, a significant improvement in performance.
"Raytheon is committed to assisting KADDB in achieving its goals for the
defense and economic development of Jordan," said Bryan J. Even, a vice
president of Raytheon Company and president of Raytheon Technical Services
Company LLC. "We recognize the high level of trust that the Jordan armed
forces has demonstrated with this and previous awards for Raytheon to equip
their entire fleet of M60A3 main battle tanks. We look forward to many future
opportunities through which we can develop the relationship and apply
Raytheon's expertise to KADDB and Jordan Armed Forces' requirements."
KADDB is the Jordanian governmental research, design and development
facility created to provide one-stop solutions for the supply of defense and
commercial products and equipment optimized for the requirements of the Middle
East.
Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC provides technology solutions for
defense, federal and commercial customers worldwide. It specializes in
customized engineering services; logistics and supply chain management;
training; and science, research and technology.
Raytheon Company, with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, is an industry leader
in defense and government electronics, space, information technology,
technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With
headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 78,000 people worldwide.
Note to Editors: Additional Technical Information
IFCS, a full director fire control and stabilized synchronized cannon
sighting system, features an advanced forward-looking infrared thermal sight,
an eye-safe laser rangefinder, a digital ballistic computer and an improved
turret stabilization system. Operational performance enhancements provided
include improved surveillance and target acquisition during moving
engagements; faster and more precise multiple target engagement capability;
long-range precision shooting; reduced ammunition consumption with more kills
per combat load; and improved system performance.
Contact:
Kristen Giddens
703.295.2535
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Kristen Giddens, Raytheon Company,
+1-703-295-2535
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