Raytheon Team Proposes Single International Standard in ADS-B Pursuit

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company is proposing an innovative solution for the Federal Aviation Administration's Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast program that reduces equipment costs and improves safety by adopting a single international standard for locating aircraft.

ADS-B is the first step in the FAA's next generation air transportation system, known as NextGen. Aircraft equipped with the ADS-B technology continuously broadcast location, airspeed and identification information to air traffic controllers. These transmissions will provide a highly accurate air traffic picture to controllers and pilots of other ADS-B equipped aircraft.

Raytheon's ADS-B team solution was recently selected by the FAA as one that will compete for the program award.

"The FAA asked industry to be innovative in its approach to the ADS-B challenge so that the government could enjoy earlier and increased user benefits as well as reduced investment," said Andy Zogg, vice president of Raytheon's Airspace Management and Homeland Security business. "Raytheon embraced that challenge and developed an innovative technological solution that far exceeds what would be possible in the conventional approach.

"The Raytheon team solution uses a single frequency that is becoming the standard around the world as opposed to utilizing two different frequencies, one for commercial aircraft and another for general aviation," said Zogg.

The solution will transmit weather information to the cockpit using the XM WX Satellite Weather Service already in use by thousands of pilots nationwide. The surveillance system will use U.K. defense giant QinetiQ's radio design, carried on Verizon's nationwide telecommunications network, while using existing ARINC and Verizon air-ground radio and cellular towers.

"With the Raytheon solution, not only does the government benefit, but the user community benefits as well," said Zogg. "The Raytheon team approach is cost effective and ultimately safer for everyone."

The Raytheon team collectively brings more than 90 years experience in installing, operating and managing mission-critical air traffic services globally. It consists of Verizon Business, Basking Ridge, N.J.; ARINC, Annapolis, Md.; QinetiQ, Hampshire, United Kingdom; XM Satellite Radio, Washington, D.C.; Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va.; Sun Microsystems, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif.; and Intelligent Automation, Inc., Rockville, Md.

As a provider of the FAA's data communications network, Verizon Business has proven experience in deploying the type of highly available network required by the system. Verizon Business will be responsible for operating and monitoring the nationwide communication network.

ARINC developed the aviation voice and data communication systems and networks in use today by airlines and civil aviation authorities around the world. It will be responsible for installation, operations and maintenance of ADS-B equipment at its existing network of air-ground stations, as well as lending its expertise to supporting system development and operations.

QinetiQ developed Quadrant, a state-of-the-art air traffic surveillance system with both ADS-B and multilateration capability, leveraging QinetiQ's 50-plus years experience in developing air traffic management equipment. QinetiQ, along with their partner Comsoft, will provide ground-based transmitters and receivers, as well as supporting system analysis and ground station design.

XM Satellite Radio is the largest supplier of cockpit weather data in the U.S. XM will supply weather and aeronautical data via its existing nationwide satellite-based service.

Booz Allen Hamilton is working with Raytheon to develop a sound commercial model that provides maximum return on the government's investment.

Sun Microsystems, Inc., will provide commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and software solutions to support the highly available information infrastructure required by the program.

Intelligent Automation, Inc., brings expertise in national air space modeling and simulation to the team. It will provide systems engineering knowledge to the development and deployment of the ADS-B system.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 80,000 people worldwide.

Contact: Lynford Morton 703.284.4446