Raytheon Australia Signs Tactical Data Radio Contract for JP2072

Canberra – 21 January 2011: In a ceremony in Canberra, Raytheon Australia today signed a $70 million contract with the Defence Materiel Organisation for the provision of Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) and MicroLight® radios and associated support under Joint Project 2072.

The contract was signed by the Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, Mr Michael Ward and Head Electronic Systems Division, Mr Michael Aylward.

Joint Project 2072 is a multi-phased project to progressively provide Australia’s Defence Force with the land elements of an integrated Battlespace Communications System. As an important step towards meeting the ADF’s objectives, including networking the Adaptive Army, this acquisition under Phase 1 of the project provides the digital radio backbone of the Battlefield Command Support System currently in service and for the Battlefield Management Systems to be procured under Land 75 and Land 125.

The contract signed today includes a significant number of EPLRS and MicroLight® radios as well as ancillaries, spares, support and training. First deliveries under the contract are expected in the first half of this year.

The EPLRS and MicroLight® radios are part of the Raytheon family of mobile ad hoc networking systems which are manufactured by Raytheon Network Centric Systems and are in operation with the US and Canadian Forces providing high speed battlefield digital communications. EPLRS vehicular and handheld products are software programmable networking radios that support a broad range of applications, including secured high speed on-the-move data exchange capabilities over a wide frequency band with effective electronic counter-countermeasures.

Raytheon Australia’s Managing Director, Michael Ward said it was significant that the acquisition was being carried out by the DMO as a direct commercial sale with Raytheon Australia. This sale will deliver the capability quickly, affordably and with assurance that an in-country support capability will be established and maintained. To this end, support will include the provision of operational, maintenance, training and supply support mainly through the Raytheon Support Facility (RSF) located at Amberley in South East Queensland.

“Raytheon Australia is delighted to be working with the Commonwealth who is the prime systems integrator for this project. This is an important outcome for our company and we look forward to playing a suitable role in future phases of the project that will provide the Army’s next generation communications infrastructure,” Mr Ward said.

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Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

Further information:
Gerry Wheeler
+61 439 501 327
gerard.wheeler@raytheon.com.au