Raytheon to upgrade Patriot capabilities

Raytheon Co. will make major hardware and software upgrades to reconfigure the Patriot Missile Air Defense System through a $38.6 million contract awarded by the Army.

As prime contractor and systems integrator for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, or PAC-3, configuration, Raytheon Co. will install the upgrades to Patriot test stations and engineering to address obsolescence in the factory and key suppliers, the company said.

The contract calls for Raytheon to test equipment upgrades and engineering as the first step in the upgrade of three Patriot battalions, totaling 12 fire units, from PAC-2 to PAC-3 configuration.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems will perform the work. The unit provides integrated solutions to both international and domestic customers, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Armed Forces and U.S. Homeland Security Department.

Raytheon of Waltham, Mass., has about 80,000 employees and had sales of $20.3 billion in 2006. The company ranks No. 6 on Washington Technology's 2006 Top 100 list of the largest federal IT contractors.