U.K. Ministry of Defence selects Raytheon MicroLight radio for Army's FIST program trials

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., 21 May 2007. Raytheon Company's MicroLight radio has been selected by the Thales Prime Contracting Management Office, acting on behalf of the U.K. Ministry of Defence, as the core communications system for the operational effectiveness trials in the assessment phase of the U.K.'s Future Integrated Soldier Technology, or FIST, program.

FIST is a tri-service program to enhance the combat effectiveness of infantry teams in the 21st century. MicroLight is a family of wideband, software-defined radios that provide voice, data, video, situational awareness, and tracking information.

Raytheon is partnering on FIST with Cobham Defence Communications, Wimborne, Dorset, U.K. Cobham is providing the battle management system.