TEWKSBURY, Mass., Oct. 29, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- The Office of Naval Research has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $6.9 million, phase two contract to develop a new class of nano-composite optical materials.

This continuation of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency Nanocomposite Optical Ceramics project will be performed over the next 18- to 24-months and is aimed at enhancing missile performance with full infrared transparency, unrestricted seeker performance and greater mechanical durability.

"This contract will further optimize the most promising nano-composite materials and fabrication methods identified during phase one," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president of Engineering for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "Continued development of this advanced technology will provide substantially increased performance and improved reliability for missile systems while also keeping solutions affordable for our warfighters."

Using its OpenAIR(TM) business model for assembling talent and capabilities, Raytheon IDS is partnering with Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz.; Nanocerox, Ann Arbor, Mich.; CeraNova, Marlborough, Mass.; CBW TechServices, Framingham, Mass.; the University of California, Davis, Calif.; Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J.; and the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 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 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

    Contact:
    Michele Lemos
    978.858.5850

SOURCE Raytheon Company