U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $298.2 Million for Full-Rate Production of ATFLIR Pod For F/A-18 Fleet

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U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $298.2 Million for Full-Rate Production of ATFLIR Pod For F/A-18 Fleet
    EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)
has been awarded a $298.2 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command
(NAVAIR) for full-rate production (FRP) of the AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting
Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' F/A-
18 fleet.
    The contract, for FRP lots 1 and 2, calls for the production of 88 units,
associated spares, special tooling and test equipment, and sustaining
engineering support. Contract deliveries are currently scheduled to be
complete by Nov. 2006.
     The FRP contract follows the Navy's declaration of initial operational
capability on Sept. 10. In the Navy's final operational evaluation report
issued on Sept. 4, ATFLIR received the highest possible grade of
"operationally effective and suitable" and recommended its introduction into
the fleet.
     "ATFLIR will provide greatly enhanced capabilities for the fleet," said
Debbie Ybarra, ATFLIR program director for Raytheon Space and Airborne
Systems. "ATFLIR meets or exceeds every one of the Navy's key performance
parameters," said Ybarra, "and it will significantly enhance the combat
effectiveness and survivability of Navy pilots and weapons system officers in
strike warfare missions."
    The Navy plans to procure up to 574 ASQ-228 ATFLIR pods for deployment on
every F/A-18 configuration in the fleet. Current production schedules calls
for delivery of eight to 10 pods for each F/A-18 squadron in the Navy and U.S.
Marine Corps.
     As part of its early operational capability, ATFLIR deployed in 2002 with
the first Super Hornets and supported operations in Southwest Asia. The
combat-proven ASQ-228 ATFLIR provides Naval aviation with a significant leap
in target recognition range, the most advanced laser designation performance
now available, and EO/IR imagery that is 3 to 5 times better than any other
targeting pod currently in production. All ATFLIR functions -- third-
generation mid-wave infrared targeting and navigation FLIRS, electro-optical
sensor, laser rangefinder and target designator, and laser spot tracker -- are
integrated into one pod, freeing weapons stations to serve other mission
requirements.
    Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) designs, develops and
manufactures advanced systems for precision engagement; missile defense; and
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Headquartered in El Segundo,
Calif., SAS has 11,000 employees and additional facilities in Goleta, Calif.;
Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several international
locations.
    Raytheon Company, with 2002 sales of $16.8 billion, is an industry leader
in defense, government and commercial electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 76,000 people
worldwide.

    Note to Editors:
    Images and interviews are available upon request. For more information on
Raytheon, visit http://www.raytheon.com

    This contract was initially announced by the Department of Defense on Dec.
15, 2003. This release provides additional details.

    Contact
     Amy Russell
     310.647.0084 office
     310.993.5088 mobile
     arussell@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Amy Russell of Raytheon Company,
+1-310-647-0084 office, +1-310- 993-5088 mobile,
arussell@raytheon.com