Raytheon's JLENS Completes Critical Milestone

TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 31, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's
(NYSE: RTN) Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor
System (JLENS) has successfully completed Orbit preliminary design review
(PDR), a key milestone in the U.S. Army program that will provide a critical
cruise missile defense capability for our nation's protectors.
The four-day Orbit PDR thoroughly reviewed all aspects of JLENS design
maturity and confidence. The PDR is a key milestone in the $1.4 billion system
design and demonstration (SDD) contract under which two JLENS Orbits are being
delivered. System testing is scheduled to begin in 2010 with SDD program
completion in 2012.
JLENS provides long-duration, wide-area, over-the-horizon detection and
tracking of incoming cruise missiles while also supplying the battlefield
commander with situational awareness and elevated communications capabilities
to provide sufficient warning to enable air defense systems to engage and
defeat threats.
Each JLENS Orbit consists of two systems: a surveillance system and a fire
control system, which includes an elevated long-range surveillance radar and
an elevated high- performance fire control radar. Each radar is integrated
onto a large aerostat connected by a tether to the ground-based mobile mooring
station and communications processing group.
"We've progressed on schedule and within budget in a very rapid and
disciplined manner since SDD was awarded only 14 months ago," said Pete
Franklin, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon
Integrated Defense Systems. "The success of Orbit PDR affirms that JLENS is
ready to move forward with detailed design."
"JLENS provides a key capability to the warfighter," said Lt. Col. Stephen
Wilhelm, JLENS product manager, U.S. Army Program Executive Office for
Missiles and Space. "Orbit PDR is the latest in a string of rapid fire
milestone successes for the JLENS program and continues to reaffirm our
confidence that this critical cruise missile defense capability is on track to
be provided to our warfighters as planned."
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace
Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad
international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense
Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.
Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader
specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets
throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning more than 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 72,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
Maureen Heard
339.645.6664

SOURCE Raytheon Company

Maureen Heard of Raytheon Company, +1-339-645-6664