Canberra – 18 March 2010: Raytheon Australia took out the prestigious Essington Lewis Trophy at the 5th annual Australian Defence Magazine Awards Dinner at Canberra’s Old Parliament House on Tuesday 23 February.

The award, named in honour of the Australian industrialist responsible for overseeing aircraft and munitions production during World War II, is a perpetual trophy recognising outstanding collaboration between the Defence Material Organisation and industry.

The 2009 award was presented to the Combat Support Systems Project Office and Raytheon Australia for their collaboration on Land 58 Phase 3.

This project involves extending the life of the seven AN/TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radars out to 2015. Previously deployed in Iraq, the radars provide an ability to locate enemy mortars, guns and rockets so as to provide early warning for ground forces.

In addition to this award the same team won the 2009 DMO/Industry Team of the Year Award for Excellence in the Major Acquisition Category.

The Australian Defence Magazine citations for these awards praised the exemplary achievements in working together to deliver a capability solution that exceeded user expectations and was delivered on time and within budget. The citations referred to the "unfailing spirit of goodwill and ‘can do’ attitude of both Raytheon Australia and the DMO team (that) assured the success of the program from the outset".

Raytheon Australia Managing Director, Michael Ward paid tribute to the company’s Land 58 team. "The reason for the team’s success was the tremendous strength of their customer relationship. Their ability to work as a trusted partner of their defence customer to deliver a superior solution to a technically complex project is not only to their credit, but is the hallmark of Raytheon Australia’s success as a company".

Also nominated as one of three finalists for AIDN's Young Achievers Award was Raytheon Australia's Stephen Kempe, a Contracts Manager within the company's Integrated Solutions team at Henderson, WA. Mr Ward said "Stephen has demonstrated his considerable potential through his contribution to the contract management of Raytheon’s business in WA and as the youngest ever participant of the Leadership Western Australia Leadership Development Program". 

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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.

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