FORT WAYNE, Ind., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company
(NYSE: RTNA, RTNB) and its teammate, Racal Research Limited - England, have
been selected to perform the initial study supporting the United Kingdom's
Programmable Digital Radio (PDR). After a competition involving multiple
bidders, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded Raytheon-Racal 320,000
pounds (approximately $490,000) to define/develop a waveform description
language (WDL), a WDL interpreter and an object library.
The award covers the first of a two-phase plan to develop programmable
digital radio technology leveraging commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware
and standard interfaces. In Phase One, Raytheon-Racal will define/develop the
language, interpreter and object library-the three key components of a
waveform compiler that can generate a variety of communication waveforms for
PDR. In Phase Two, the team will demonstrate the WDL's capabilities by running
selected waveforms on a variety of digital radios.
Raytheon-Racal will design an innovative waveform interpreter that allows
existing radios to use new waveforms, without costly alterations either to the
radio or to the platform it is installed on. The UK-developed waveform
interpreter will also be interoperable with the United States Joint Tactical
Radio System (JTRS). Currently in Phase 2A of its development, the JTRS
program's mission is to define software architecture and interfaces compatible
with commercial technology. PDR will define a waveform-compiling method that
is also compatible with commercial interfaces.
Ken Peterman, business development director for Raytheon Tactical Systems
and program executive of the Raytheon Consortium developing JTRS, said, "PDR
and JTRS have unique missions, but both have a highly commercial focus that
will result in powerful solutions that can be used in designing complex
digital communication systems."
Commenting on the contract award, Chris Darnell, strategic marketing
executive for Racal Defence Electronics, highlighted the synergy to be derived
from the work in JTRS and PDR. "The Raytheon-Racal partnership makes a great
deal of sense. Our forces will continue to participate in allied and coalition
joint operations. The fact that our two companies are leading the way in
developing this key future communications capability increases the prospect of
UK-US system interoperability."
Racal Research is the research company of Racal Electronics, a recognised
world leader in defence electronics. Racal's position is demonstrated by a
customer base across five continents and in more than 140 countries. Racal
products, systems and services have been combat proven during various
operations in support of NATO and coalition forces.
Raytheon Company, based in Lexington, Mass., is a global technology leader
that provides products and services in the areas of commercial and defense
electronics, engineering and construction, and business and special mission
aircraft. Raytheon has operations throughout the United States and serves
customers in more than 80 countries.
Notes to Editors:
A waveform is a pattern that occurs when a modulation technique is applied
to a radio frequency, so as to alter its characteristics. Each waveform
results from the kind of modulation technique applied to the frequency, and
each waveform enables a unique kind of transmission. Amplitude modulation (AM)
and frequency modulation (FM) are the most commonly known commercial
waveforms. Over decades, more than 40 military waveforms have been developed
for specific purposes/missions and for specific communication hardware.
Waveform purposes/missions include voice, data, satellite, anti-jam, air-to-
air, ground-to-ground, etc. Waveforms have been designed for hardware as
simple as hand-held radios to those as complex as radio rooms aboard aircraft
carriers. 60 percent of the work conducted for PDR will be done at Raytheon
facilities in Ft. Wayne, Ind., USA; 40 percent will be conducted at Racal
facilities in Reading, Berkshire, England, UK. The Joint Tactical Radio
System (JTRS) supports the U.S. Defense Department's mission to acquire a
family of affordable, high capacity tactical radios offering end-to-end
capabilities (Line-of-Sight and Beyond Line-of-Sight) to the warfighter. The
new tactical radio system will eliminate communication barriers with a modular
design scaled to meet varying user needs. Software-defined waveforms and an
open standards-based architecture will provide interoperability and will
support the growth needed to meet future requirements. For additional details,
see http://www.jtrs.sarda.army.mil
Contact:
Patricia Perlini
219.429.5547
http://www.raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
David Polk of Raytheon Company, 781-860-2386
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