MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $40 million U.S. Navy contract to
continue developing the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). Raytheon, as
prime contractor, and its team members, Space Systems/Loral (NYSE: LOR),
Honeywell Space Systems (NYSE: HON) and TRW Astro Aerospace (NYSE: TRW), now
enter the program's second phase, Component Advanced Development (CAD).
"This is a significant victory for the Raytheon team," said William H.
Swanson, president, Raytheon Company. "MUOS' approximately 20-year lifetime
value is estimated at $6 billion, and we intend to demonstrate to the Navy
through performance why Raytheon is the answer for future MUOS efforts."
CAD is a 14-month effort aimed at reducing risk and advancing system
design concepts that stem from MUOS' recently completed 1999-to-2003 Concept
Exploration Phase (CEP). The award reflects the Navy's Space and Naval
Warfare Systems Command's selection of Raytheon as one of two teams that will
work in parallel until 2004.
The Navy's plans for MUOS include a multiple satellite constellation, with
the first launch scheduled for 2008. The key components of MUOS are its ultra
high frequency (UHF) communication payloads and its wireless network. These
systems will deliver reliable "comms-on-the-move" to tactical warfighters,
despite their being in remote locations, severe environments or rugged
terrain.
To mobile warfighters, UHF communication is a lifeline. MUOS' UHF systems
assure that warfighters can communicate, no matter where their missions take
them. Two examples of the new system's features are penetration of two layers
of jungle canopy and communication during extreme weather conditions. When
fielded, MUOS will interoperate with leagacy radio systems and Joint Tactical
Radio Systems, particularly hand-held and manpack radios based on MUOS-
developed UHF software radio waveform standards.
"Communication payloads and wireless networking are the essence of MUOS,"
said Matthew Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon SATCOM Systems. "The
satellite carries the payloads and relays communications across the wireless
network. Although the satellite, the payloads and the wireless network are
key elements, the real benefits to warfighters come from the communication
system integration."
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a
global technology leader in defense, government and commercial electronics,
and business and special mission aircraft.
Note to editors:
With this contract, SPAWAR has funded two teams to prepare for a 2004
System Design and Development competition. SPAWAR will then issue a contract
for MUOS' Program Production and Deployment. That award is expected in 2006;
its conclusion is targeted for 2023.
Team member responsibilities are:
-- Raytheon, St. Petersburg, Fla., will serve as prime contractor and
system integrator. In addition it will design and build the
communication payloads and network.
-- Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, Cal., will build MUOS' satellite bus
and integrate Raytheon's payloads.
-- Honeywell Space Systems, Clearwater Fla., will provide digital
processing components
-- TRW Astro Aerospace, Carpinteria, Cal., will provide antenna components
Work in support of CAD will be conducted at several sites. These include
company facilities in St. Petersburg, Fla., State College, Penn., Denver,
Colo., Marlborough and Bedford, Mass., Ft. Wayne, Ind., McKinney Texas, and El
Segundo, Calif.
Contact:
Patricia Perlini
260.429.5547 or 260.418.4070
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Patricia Perlini of Raytheon Company,
+1-260-429-5547, or +1- 260-418-4070
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