Raytheon awarded $8 million DARPA work

Raytheon Co. won an $8 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop a laser radar imaging system, the company announced April 23.

The Lexington, Mass., company's space and airborne systems unit will complete the work.

Under terms of the contract, the company will demonstrate a tactical imaging system that can process and display signals from a laser radar. Laser radar operates like standard radar, except that it uses pulses of light rather than radio waves to pinpoint objects.

The technology promises a much higher resolution than standard X-band radar now used. It also can potentially eliminate the glint or glare that can cloud the radio wave signals.

This laser radar system could be used by unmanned aerial vehicles or by manned flights for reconnaissance and targeting.

The Air Force Research Laboratory will serve as the program execution agent. Work will be performed at Raytheon facilities in Arizona, California and Texas.