EL SEGUNDO, Calif. , May 14, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has authorized Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to demonstrate target recognition technology designed to increase protection for ground forces without compounding risk to an aircraft stalking enemies who threaten those forces.
First in a laboratory and then aloft, the company expects to show how its Air-to-Ground Radar Imaging II program would permit aircraft at a safe distance to detect, track and target hostile forces in motion on the ground. The laboratory demonstration is expected in autumn 2008, followed by a flight next spring aboard a Raytheon test aircraft.
Advanced high-resolution radar can monitor activity from distances of more than 50 miles. Raytheon expects the demonstrations to prove software the company developed for a target recognition system mounted on a manned or unmanned aircraft will permit current radar technology to accomplish this new mission. Raytheon leads a team that includes BAE Systems and SAIC.
"We want to protect the warfighter in the air and on the ground as much as possible," said Nick Uros , vice president for Advanced Concepts and Technology at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "One way is to use an automatic target recognition system at a stand-off location. We're proud to be able to help the Air Force develop this important technology."
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems is a leading provider of sensor
systems giving military forces the most accurate and timely actionable
information available for the network-centric battlefield. With 2007 revenues
of
Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of
SOURCE Raytheon Company
