MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company
(NYSE: RTNA; RTNB) announced today it successfully completed a 21 day test of
the wide area augmentation system (WAAS). Analysis of the test results
confirms resolution of key stability and performance issues. WAAS provided
continuously augmented global positioning system navigation signals for the
duration of the test. Measured accuracy was one meter horizontally and three
meters vertically, well within the 7.6 meter requirement.
The Wide Area Augmentation System is a network of reference stations,
master stations, ground-uplink stations, and geosynchronous satellites. This
system monitors all GPS satellites in view and provides a differential
correction message for each, which improves the accuracy, integrity,
continuity, and availability with which a properly equipped receiver can
determine its location.
Master Station computers operated nonstop throughout the test and the
system automatically executed several switches between the ground up-link
stations that broadcast the WAAS message to the two geostationary satellites.
These switches successfully rerouted system operation around component
disruptions in order to maintain continuous operation. WAAS also maintained
the signal throughout several ionospheric storms caused by solar flares that
occurred during the test period.
While success of this test verified the WAAS system accuracy and
stability, further enhancement and test of key system components as defined by
the WAAS integrity performance panel (WIPP) is required to ensure rigorous
safety requirements critical to system certification are met. The time to
complete this work and certify the WAAS for aviation use will depend on the
effort needed to perform the WIPP defined tasks and program funding levels.
Raytheon plans to continue operating the system and provide a near-
continuous augmentation signal in space. This signal will be used to collect
data that is critical to the certification process, but it also is available
to test WAAS receivers and support use of the WAAS signal for non-aviation
applications. The status of the signal is available at the Raytheon web site:
wwws.raytheontands.com/waas.
Raytheon Company is a global technology leader that provides products and
services in the areas of commercial and defense electronics and business and
special mission aircraft. Raytheon has operations throughout the United
States and serves customers in more than 70 countries.
Contact:
Blanche E. Necessary
202.314.3780
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Blanche E. Necessary of Raytheon Company,
202-314-3780
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