Raytheon will devise prototype sensing architecture
Goal is to integrate several missile defense systems
Raytheon Co. has won a $3 million contract to create a prototype sensing architecture that could consolidate several missile defense systems.
The award from the Air Force Space Command calls for Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems unit to develop an enterprise sensing prototype architecture for space situational awareness.
The prototype will be an open, service-oriented architecture that would integrate into a single sensor enterprise Space Command space surveillance sensors and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) sensors, a company announcement today said.
That integrated, global enterprise would enable missile defense sensors to participate in the space surveillance network and be tasked by space and missile defense command and control systems.
It also would move the MDA one step closer to an “any sensor, any shooter” capability, the announcement said.
Technologies that would enable those architectures include sensor data fusion, enterprise sensor calibration, and distributed sensor resource management, it added.
“Integrating these sensors will give decision makers an extraordinary view of space and the ability to discern and quickly react to potential threats,” said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ National and Theater Security Programs.
Raytheon, of Waltham, Mass., ranks No. 5 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.
About the Author
David Hubler is the associate editor of Washington Technology.