Raytheon's F/A-18 AESA Radar Soars Into Full Rate Production

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Raytheon's F/A-18 AESA Radar Soars Into Full Rate Production
    EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 18, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's
(NYSE: RTN) revolutionary F/A-18 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar
is moving into full rate production following U.S. Navy approval.
    The APG-79 production line is ramping up in anticipation of delivering
a total of 437 systems for the Navy in coming years.
    "Moving into full rate production is a significant milestone for our
APG- 79 AESA radar program," said Erv Grau, vice president for Raytheon's
Tactical Airborne Systems business. "The tremendous capability of our
system is a key enabler in the Super Hornet Block II's wide range of
capabilities and provides a new level of sophistication in supporting our
customer's critical mission. A hot production line also ensures that we can
deliver on our domestic commitments and handle any international interest
we may also receive, while remaining very cost competitive."
    This milestone marks the end of the low rate initial production period
of 84 radars.
    "Super Hornet Block II and EA-18G aircraft equipped with AESA's
revolutionary war-fighting capability makes naval aviation more relevant
than ever to the joint combatant commander," said Capt. Donald Gaddis,
F/A-18 and EA-18G Navy program manager. "Our Super Hornets and Growlers,
with their cutting-edge radar technology, precise network-enabled weapons,
and joint interoperable and open architectures increase the combat
effectiveness of all forces operating in the battle space."
    The AESA-equipped Super Hornet Block IIs are being delivered to two
squadrons at Naval Air Station Oceana: the Black Lions of VFA-213 and the
Gladiators of VFA-106. The former is the first Navy squadron to fly all
AESA- equipped F/A-18F Super Hornets. In addition, AESA-equipped Block II
Super Hornets are being introduced to squadrons at Naval Air Station
Lemoore in California.
    "The AESA is a game changer that not only improves the Super Hornet's
sting but makes the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block II more reliable, more
survivable and more formidable against all known threats," said Bob Gower,
vice president for the F/A-18 programs for Boeing.
    The revolutionary radar offers multi-target tracking and increased
situational awareness. In air-to-air engagements, the radar allows targets
to be engaged at very long ranges and offers reduced aircrew workload via
its resource manager. The system also offers high-resolution ground mapping
at long standoff ranges for air-to-surface tracking, with an interleaved
mode capability and at least a three- to five-fold increase in system
reliability.
    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:
    Faith Jennings
    310.334.2554
SOURCE Raytheon Company
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Faith Jennings for Raytheon Company,
+1-310-334-2554