EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 6, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company
(NYSE: RTN) has achieved a key milestone on the Modernized User Equipment
program by successfully acquiring and tracking for the first time a new
M-code military signal transmitted by the latest-generation global
positioning system satellite.
Although the first modernized satellite, GPS Block IIR-14(M), has been
operating with legacy signals since December 2005, it only recently began
test broadcast of the new M-code. The code provides enhanced accuracy,
encryption and anti-jamming capability for authorized users.
"This initial success demonstrating the ability of our next-generation
receivers to track the new modernized GPS signal is a key step forward for
our modern user equipment program," said Dr. Ralph Garcia, director of GPS
and navigation systems for the company's Space and Airborne Systems
business. "It also marks a significant milestone for the
government-industry GPS team by demonstrating synchronized user equipment,
satellite, and control system interoperablility, which is critical for our
customer's operations in the future."
A Raytheon prototype receiver, produced under the research and
development agreement of the program, was used to track the new signal from
the GPS Block IIR-14(M) satellite.
"The successful receiver operation with a live M-code satellite
inspires confidence that our design is sound and validates our simulation
environment," said Phil Kelton, who manages the modern user equipment
program. "These will be critical tools as we progress toward a
production-ready product. The next phase of the program will benefit from
breakthroughs in microelectronics technology, coupled with advanced
security solutions to permit higher performance and greater integrity at
less cost than today's systems." Raytheon's teammates on the program are
General Dynamics and Trimble Navigation Limited.
The Global Positioning Systems Wing of the U.S. Air Force Space and
Missile Systems Center awarded Raytheon a $38 million contract in June to
develop a receiver card for the program. The team is developing
next-generation circuit card technology, which will enable military users
to connect with new navigation signals from enhanced global positioning
satellites while retaining compatibility with the current constellation and
legacy signals.
Raytheon 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, Calif.
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.
Contact:
Faith Jennings
310 334 2553 office
310 977 1963 mobile
faith_jennings@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com/
CONTACT:
Faith Jennings of Raytheon Company,
+1-310-334-2553 office or +1-310-977-1963 mobile,
faith_jennings@raytheon.com
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