Raytheon to support war zone sensor systems

Raytheon Co. will provide the Army with engineering and logistics support for sensor systems in Afghanistan and Iraq used to detect hostile troop movements.

Under a $76.2 million contract, Raytheon will provide technical and other assistance for the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) systems deployed by United States and coalition forces.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems will supply engineering services, spares procurement, field service representative training and integrated logistics support for the RAID systems in the southwest Asia battle zones.

RAID is comprised of infrared sensor systems mounted on elevated stationary platforms. They enable U.S. and coalition forces to respond rapidly to threatening situations. Raytheon developed the system to meet the military's increasingly critical need for persistent surveillance in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The work will be performed at Raytheon IDS' Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass., and at the Warfighter Protection Center, Huntsville, Ala.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems is a unit of Raytheon Co., of Waltham, Mass. The parent company ranks No. 4 on Washington Technology's 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.