Raytheon Teams with US Navy, Agilent to Develop Ground-Breaking Test Equipment

TUCSON, Ariz. , June 16, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), teaming with the U.S. Navy and Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A), has implemented the Presidio Automated Test Line, a breakthrough in testing automation for production of Raytheon's Standard Missile 2.

The SM-2 Presidio represents an innovative change to the testing process, not only for Standard Missile, but, ultimately, for Raytheon's entire Missile Systems business. It replaces 17 test positions and 27 environmental conditioning systems with a single automated installation. Presidio also combines many advanced commercial technologies, including robotic material handling, multi-plane vibration, universal solid-state test interfaces and new test executive software.

"The Navy benefits significantly from the greater test efficiency that Presidio provides," said Scott Reiter , the Navy's SM-2 project director. "This gets missiles in the hands of our sailors that much faster. It is another example of the great partnership that exists between the Navy and Raytheon on SM-2."

The system is designed to test new and failed units using a single configuration test station, eliminating the need for the multiple test sets previously required. It also reduces floor space by 50 percent, vibration test time by 66 percent and cuts overall cycle time from 21 days to less than seven hours.

"Presidio sets the stage for automation across our business," said Rick Nelson , vice president of Operations for Raytheon Missile Systems. "It marks a vital first step in modernizing and streamlining all of our operations processes."

The project combined Raytheon's product applications knowledge with Agilent Technologies' automation and measurement expertise to bring the best available technology to the production floor in 14 months -- a record for a test system of this magnitude and complexity. "The speed at which this project was implemented stands as a tribute to the joint Navy, Raytheon and Agilent team," continued Nelson.

Raytheon Company, with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, 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.

SOURCE Raytheon Company