ADELAIDE – 13 November 2008: The mission systems integrator for the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer program today announced that it had signed an agreement to lease a new facility in the
commercial precinct of Techport Australia that will become the Raytheon Australia South Australian Engineering Centre.

“We are pleased to announce that Raytheon Australia will be a proud resident of the Techport community with a new building to become headquarters for our South Australian operations,” said Mr Ron Fisher, the Managing Director of Raytheon Australia.

Mr Fisher said Raytheon strongly supported the efforts of the South Australian Government to develop Techport Australia as the nation’s premier naval industry hub and to establish a successful commercial and education precinct.

“It is appropriate that Australia’s leading mission systems integrator will be part of the nation’s premier naval industry hub. Techport offers Raytheon Australia strong corporate exposure and an optimum location for the convenience of our customers. It will also allow us to consolidate some of our other activities in one prime location.

“Whilst a great many of our employees will be working in the soon to be built AWD Systems Centre nearby, the new Raytheon facility will permit us to bring together others working on Collins submarine in-service support as well as our South Australian aerospace employees not located on customer sites.

“I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the Premier and Defence SA for their strong efforts to develop this fully integrated centre for naval shipbuilding. The development of Techport is vital to the successful execution of the Air Warfare Destroyer program and to new naval opportunities,” Mr Fisher said.

“The South Australian Government has been very strong in its support for defence industry and I want to pay a special tribute Premier Rann, his Treasurer, Kevin Foley and the CEO of Defence SA,
Andrew Fletcher. “They have been instrumental in bringing Raytheon to Techport and I thank them for their support.

“I also congratulate the Premier on the opening of the new Maritime Skills Centre. We are all focussed on providing the defence skills of the future and the new Centre will contribute to the trade and technical skills necessary to ensure a successful execution of the AWD program,” Mr Fisher said.

-End-

With facilities located across the country, Raytheon Australia is a highly capable prime contractor with an engineering and technical workforce of 1300 backed by world-class management and quality systems. This local presence is bolstered by strong relationships with small and medium sized enterprises and access to the global resources of Raytheon Company.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specialising in defence, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 86 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 72,000 people worldwide.

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