Canberra – 26 February 2010:  In a special event at Tidbinbilla today Raytheon Australia celebrated seven years of dedicated service at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC).

Raytheon Australia has managed the operations and maintenance of CDSCC on behalf of the CSIRO since 2003, a facility that is an essential element of NASA’s Deep Space Network.

“This event marks seven years of superior contract performance to the benefit of the scientific mission here at Tidbinbilla,” said the Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, Mr Michael Ward.

Mr Ward said that the event brought to an end Raytheon’s responsibilities at Tidbinbilla. In July last year the CSIRO announced its decision to assume direct management of the tracking station to complement one of the organisation’s core roles of managing major scientific facilities and its increasing research interests in space and astronomy.

In the years of Raytheon Australia’s involvement at Tidbinbilla the company had demonstrated its ability to deliver value for money for its government customer. This was evidenced by Raytheon’s performance in driving down the cost of operating the site.

Mr Ward paid tribute to the company’s strong and productive relationship with its workforce that totalled around 120 people. In particular, he commented upon the harmonious relationship with the various trade unions represented on the site.

He also reflected on the challenges of meeting the company’s obligations under the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations stating that no ACT employer had been more successful than Raytheon Australia in this important area.

In handing over the site Mr Ward thanked the CSIRO for the opportunity to have contributed to its scientific endeavour and wished the organisation every success as it assumed total responsibility for the management of its daily operations.

“It has been a special privilege to have overseen the activities of a passionate and skilled group of professionals at Tidbinbilla over these past years and I wish CDSCC well for the challenges ahead,” Mr Michael Ward.

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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