Raytheon to deploy sensors for force protection

WALTHAM, Mass., 3 June 2007.Raytheon Co. won a $10.1 million contract from the Army to provide towers arrayed with sensors to help protect U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Under the contract, Raytheon of Waltham, Mass., will deliver 16 Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) tower systems, which can be operated remotely, to the Army.

The company will establish a systems engineering approach for the program that includes linking the towers to other existing Army systems. The company also will furnish lifecycle maintenance and support.

RAID is a surveillance system with infrared sensor systems elevated on a stationary platform. The towers can detect hostile troop and equipment movement at considerable distances.

The company will construct the towers at its facilities in Andover, Mass., and Huntsville, Ala. Raytheon plans to complete delivery in September.