The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., requires a secure, state-of-the art network for its classified information and communications. DARPA executives desired to move away from local, disparate networks toward a single integrated network.

DARPA management turned to Raytheon Co. of Waltham, Mass., to develop and deploy the organization’s new communications network. The award also calls for Raytheon to maintain and transition DARPA’s existing networks to meet future requirements, which could potentially bring the contract value to more than $57 million.

According to the $14 million contract, Raytheon will build DARPA’s Secure Enterprise Network (DSEN), as well as provide support to DARPA’s existing classified systems. Raytheon is building DSEN on the company’s Compartmented High Assurance Information Network (CHAIN) architecture, a compartmented Microsoft Windows-based environment.

Raytheon’s technology will enable DARPA personnel to send secure e-mail transmissions, file attachments, and instant messages, as well as to collaborate via voice and video in an environment involving security clearances.

“In delivering our CHAIN solution to DARPA, we are providing critical information assurance for one of the DOD’s leading technology innovators,” says Matt Gilligan, vice president, Raytheon Command and Control Systems.

For more information, visit www.raytheon.com.