EL SEGUNDO, Calif., 2 Nov. 2005. Raytheon Company has delivered the first full production Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) for the Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial system, used by the U.S. Air Force.
The full production configuration includes both synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) high resolution imaging capability in a single integrated sensor system.
Raytheon's ISS currently installed on the Global Hawk provides near real-time imagery and has been combat proven in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor on the Global Hawk high-altitude, long endurance unmanned aircraft.
"We are proud to provide this important sensor capability for the Global Hawk system and the Air Force," Thomas Kennedy, vice president of Raytheon Integrated Airborne Systems, said. "The Raytheon Integrated Sensor Suite equipping the Global Hawk is a vital link in the chain of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts."
The recent ISS delivery is from Lot 2 of the Global Hawk low-rate initial production (LRIP) program. Raytheon is currently building Lot 3 LRIP systems for the Global Hawk program. Lot 3 consists of two basic ISS systems and one enhanced ISS.
The enhanced ISS extends the range capabilities of both the SAR and EO sensors by 50 percent over the basic ISS. Along with the ISS, Raytheon also produces the Global Hawk ground element from its Intelligence and Information Systems operation in Falls Church, Va.
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, with 2004 sales of $4 billion and headquarters in El Segundo, designs, develops and manufactures advanced systems for precision engagement, missile defense and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The business employs more than 13,000 and has additional facilities in Goleta, Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several international locations.
Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services and special-mission aircraft. Headquartered in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide. For more information, see www.raytheon.com.
