Friday, December 04, 2009

DTN News: Raytheon Awarded $17 Million To Upgrade South Korea's Patriot Systems

DTN News: Raytheon Awarded $17 Million To Upgrade South Korea's Patriot Systems
*Source: DTN News / Raytheon
(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - December 5, 2009: Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $17.2 million Foreign Military Sales contract modification to deliver capability upgrades for South Korea's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary of its kind used by the United States Army and several allied nations. It is manufactured by the Raytheon Company of the United States. The Patriot System replaced the Nike Hercules system as the U.S. Army's primary High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) system, and replaced the MIM-23 Hawk system as the U.S. Army's medium tactical air defense system. In addition to these roles, Patriot has been given the function of the U.S. Army's anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system, which is now Patriot's primary mission. Patriot uses an advanced aerial interceptor missile and high performance radar systems. Patriot was developed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, which had previously developed the Safeguard ABM system and its component Spartan and Sprint missiles. The symbol for Patriot is a drawing of a Revolutionary War-era Minuteman. Patriot systems have been sold to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Egypt, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Spain. The Republic of Korea is also in the process of purchasing several second-hand Patriot systems after North Korea test-launched ballistic missiles to the Sea of Japan and proceeded with underground nuclear testing in 2006. During August 2008, the United States and Poland signed a Declaration on Strategic Cooperation, in which they agreed to “the deployment of a U.S. Army Patriot air and missile defense battery in Poland. We intend to begin this cooperation next year (note: 2009) and to expand it with the aim of establishing by 2012 a garrison to support the U.S. Army Patriot battery.” With emphasis on upgrading the global Patriot fleet, Raytheon will deliver prime-power equipment as an alternative power source for Patriot system operations and will deliver communications equipment to enhance Patriot interoperability with air defense command centers. This contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., augments Raytheon's ongoing efforts as systems integrator for South Korea's Patriot SAM-X program. To date, Raytheon has been awarded more than $280 million in contracts to support the Patriot SAM-X program. "This is an opportunity to further our working relationship with the South Korean industry," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "Raytheon's major subcontract partner in South Korea, EHWA Technologies Information, has a robust and proven portfolio of products in power systems for the Republic of Korea Air Force and will be a key partner for these improvements." EHWA Technologies Information will produce the frequency converter kits that will provide the option for Patriot system components to be powered via the central power infrastructure, removing the dependence on mobile tactical generators as the only source of power. This will significantly reduce system maintenance costs and enhance operational flexibility. Work under this contract will be performed by Raytheon IDS at its Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass., and at Raytheon subcontractor facilities in South Korea. Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot air and missile defense systems and systems integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles. Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities 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 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

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