INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 6, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy has awarded a
subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $19.9 million contract to produce
reconnaissance pods that play a key role in the network-centric environment of
the U.S. warfighter.
Under this contract, Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC) will
produce six additional Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) systems at its
Indianapolis facility for delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2006. RTSC procured key
subsystems and components that will be used in the production of these six
systems under an earlier award from the Navy.
"High-resolution, digital tactical air reconnaissance is essential for
commanders in today's battle environment, and SHARP provides that capability
for the U.S. Navy carrier-based air wings," said Larry Parsons, program
manager for Aircraft Auxiliary Systems at RTSC.
"RTSC designed an innovative pod that allows the latest optical and
electronics technologies to be quickly and reliably used in the rigorous Naval
aviation environment. We're pleased that Raytheon's responsibilities on the
SHARP program have evolved over the years to our current role of system
production and integration. This role enables us to focus on enabling our
customer's mission success."
The SHARP system was developed by a government and industry team composed
of RTSC; Boeing; Recon/Optical, Inc.; L-3 Communications; and the U.S. Navy.
While the initial payload suite provides advanced day/night imaging and real-
time data linking to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, RTSC designed the pod to be
highly adaptable to many sensor payloads and a wide range of aircraft.
"SHARP is one element of the support Raytheon provides to the Super
Hornet, and we're very proud of the contribution it has made to the success of
the missions flown by this aircraft," said John Balaguer, vice president and
general manager of RTSC's Indianapolis-based business unit. "The system has
proven itself with success in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and we will continue to
work with the Navy and the rest of the SHARP team to ensure it continues to
provide the capabilities and performance that are critical to successful
mission completion."
Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, a subsidiary of Raytheon Company,
provides technology solutions for defense, federal and commercial customers
worldwide. It specializes in Mission Support, engineering product solutions
and engineering service solutions. Mission Support-Raytheon's integrated
approach to providing total life-cycle support, predicting customer needs,
sensing problems and proactively applying solutions-enables Raytheon to
maintain readiness and deliver operational capability on demand, enhancing
customer mission success.
Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 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 80,000 people worldwide.
Note to Editors: Additional Information
SHARP replaces the current Carrier Air Wing tactical reconnaissance
capability provided by the film-based F-14 Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod
System (TARPS). Fleet introduction of the SHARP system on the F/A-18F Super
Hornet began with early operational capability on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in
2003 and continues on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in 2004.
The RTSC-designed pod incorporates a rotating mid-section to optimize
coverage to protect the window by allowing stowage under the strongback, and
to reduce the size and life-cycle expense of large fixed windows. The pod's
design also provides mobility -- it mounts on a bomb rack like a smart weapon
-- allowing for more flexibility in reconnaissance mission planning. Although
the initial systems employ electro-optical/infrared sensors for use on the
F/A-18E/F aircraft, the pod design is readily adaptable to many sensor
payloads on a wide range of aircraft.
Contact:
Kristen Giddens Pinto-Coelho
703.295.2535
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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