EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 16, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- A payload consisting
of a sensor with a focal plane array large enough to capture images of the
entire earth from a geosynchronous missile warning satellite is in
development by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) under a $54.4 million contract
from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Alternate Infrared Satellite System program, as it is known, calls
for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems to design and build a developmental
integrated sensor assembly for the Air Force Space and Missile Systems
Center. The Air Force is seeking to develop a solution with lower cost and
risk than the geosynchronous missile warning satellite in parallel
development by another contractor for the third Space Based Infrared
System.
"The program takes advantage of a single full-earth staring instrument
to look for infrared plumes and provide early warning of ballistic missile
launches," said Brian Arnold, vice president for Strategic Systems. "The
lack of moving parts allows for a lighter, more affordable payload and
fewer opportunities for component failure, while the non-moving, wide-angle
infrared optics capture the earth's surface at high fidelity."
The staring approach enabled by the large focal plane array also will
allow the warfighter to detect infrared events of brief duration, such as
the activity of short-range theater missiles.
Expected in 2008, a decision to produce either system will depend on
the developmental success of the geosynchronous satellites and the maturity
of the technology demonstrated by the Alternative Infrared Satellite
System, according to the Air Force. The Raytheon effort follows the
back-to-basics approach directed by Dr. Ronald Sega, under secretary of the
Air Force. The fast-paced program is scheduled to complete critical design
review next spring and deliver hardware a year later.
Space and Airborne Systems is the leading provider of sensor systems
giving military forces the most accurate and timely information available
for the network-centric battlefield. With 2005 revenues of $4.2 billion and
13,000 employees, SAS is headquartered in El Segundo. Additional facilities
are in Goleta, Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas;
and several international locations.
Raytheon Company, with 2005 sales of $21.9 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: This contract award was originally announced by the
Department of Defense Sept. 5, 2006
Contact:
Douglass Gore
310.607.7305
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Douglass Gore of Raytheon Company,
+1-310-607-7305
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