STAFFORD, Va., Nov. 1, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE:
RTN) will partner with the Marine Corps Systems Command as the primary
integrator for a human factors laboratory facility that will study
potential improvements in the effectiveness of the equipment Marine squads
carry into battle.
Located in Stafford and opening on Nov. 1, the facility will be known
as the "Gruntworks." It will analyze the equipment Marine riflemen carry in
terms of loading, logistics, human factors and combat effectiveness with a
view toward making changes that increase efficiency, personal protection
and survivability.
"This is a revolutionary step in making our ground Marines more agile,
lethal, and survivable," said Lt. Gen. Jim Amos, commanding general, Marine
Corps Combat Development Command. "This capability will increase our
ability to protect Marines in the future."
Raytheon will act as the systems integrator for this first-ever Marine
infantry laboratory facility, working closely with the program management
office for the Marine Expeditionary Squad, which will provide an overall
systems approach and oversight to the work done with the squad equipment.
At the Gruntworks, the Marine Corps will evaluate the best industry,
government, academic, and foreign solutions offered. From there it will
determine through simulation and human systems integration and modeling if
new technology can be integrated into the squad equipment set to make it
more effective and more reliable in future versions.
Diagnostic equipment available at the Gruntworks will include vehicle
and aircraft mock ups for use in analyzing the amount of individual
equipment Marines bring in ground and air transports. Additionally, the
Office of Naval Research will fund a virtual training facility at the
Gruntworks called the Immersive Infantry Trainer. This capability will
allow Marines and laboratory personnel to test equipment in a virtual,
combat-like environment.
Raytheon has two partners providing critical support to the effort.
They will provide the Marines with on-site integration, modeling and
simulation for the development of the squad systems.
WESCO, a Helena, Mont.-based information technology company, is
providing services and developing a knowledge management system tailored to
the Marine Corps and the Gruntworks facility so that critical data
collection is captured, archived and available in a user-friendly computer
system.
HUMANSYSTEMS, Inc., is an Ontario, Canada-based human factors
consulting firm that will provide expertise in human performance
integration and testing that is based on years of support to the Canadian
and U.S. militaries.
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:
George Rhynedance
703.284.4439
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
George Rhynedance of Raytheon Company,
+1-703-284-4439
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