Raytheon win UK's ASTOR competition

June 15th, 1999

Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL), the UK subsidiary of Raytheon Company has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Airborne Standoff Radar (ASTOR) programme. The £800 million (US $ 1.3 billion) airborne radar surveillance programme provides day/night and all-weather imagery of the ground over a large area. The imagery can be analysed on board the aircraft and passed in near real-time to ground stations and other military systems.

"Raytheon is delighted to have been awarded this programme," said RSL Managing Director Peter McKee. "Our solution will bring great benefits to UK industry as a result of the transfer of radar, communications and systems integration technologies," McKee continued. "We believe that this first major defence procurement by the government demonstrates all the elements of its Smart Procurement methodology."

"Our approach offers the most effective Airborne Standoff Radar technology capability but at the lowest risk, and is an excellent example of how international partnerships can work in a competitive environment, to the benefit of the customer," said Raytheon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Burnham.

Major components of Raytheon's ASTOR programme include the use of five Global Express business jets produced by Bombardier/Shorts. The aircraft are equipped with an advanced version of the ASARS-2 radar technology, used on U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. Motorola will provide ground systems.

Raytheon's approach included use of leading-edge proven radar technology with an incremental in service capability and a defined upgrade path. It has a very high UK content with 75 % produced in the UK. Raytheon says there will be long term benefits to UK, including: 2,500 jobs created or sustained with a potential for an additional 4,000 created or sustained due to potential export opportunities Approximately 150 companies from throughout the UK will take part in the programme which is likely to result in considerable technology transfer in radar, systems integration, and datalink communications,

In addition to the UK's ASTOR programme, Raytheon is competing for significant airborne surveillance procurements, such as Wedgetail, in Australia and a similar airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system in Turkey, with additional international growth opportunities.

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