Air Force taps Raytheon for receive-broadcast managers

Raytheon Co. has won a $19.5 million contract from the Air Force's Electronic Systems Center to provide Global Broadcast Service receive suites, the company announced today.

Under the contract, Raytheon of Waltham, Mass., will build and deliver Global Broadcast Service receive suites using either Air Force or 88XR Type-1 and Type-2 Internet protocol receive broadcast managers and next generation receive terminals.

The company will build prototype 88XR receive broadcast managers for testing and for preparing integrated logistics support products. The company also will perform Global Broadcast Service developmental and operational testing. The company will perform the work in Reston, Va.

The military services use the Global Broadcast Service for worldwide, satellite-based, high data rate communications. Combat commands need additional Global Broadcast Service receive suites as soon as possible, according to the company. Raytheon is working with the Air Force to complete the design and initiate production of new tactical Internet protocol receive suites.

Raytheon, a provider of electronics, space, information technology, technical services and business and special mission aircraft to defense and government customers, has 78,000 employees and annual sales of $18.1 billion. The company ranked No. 6 on Washington Technology 2003 Top 100 list, which measures federal contracting revenue.