Raytheon Awarded $19.9 Million Reconnaissance Pod Production Contract

Raytheon Co, INDIANAPOLIS: The U.S. Navy has awarded a subsidiary of Raytheon Company a $19.9 million contract to produce reconnaissance pods that play a key role in the network-centric environment of the U.S. warfighter.  
 
Under this contract, Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC) will produce six additional Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) systems at its Indianapolis facility for delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2006. RTSC procured key subsystems and components that will be used in the production of these six systems under an earlier award from the Navy.  
 
“High-resolution, digital tactical air reconnaissance is essential for commanders in today's battle environment, and SHARP provides that capability for the U.S. Navy carrier-based air wings,” said Larry Parsons, program manager for Aircraft Auxiliary Systems at RTSC.  
 
“RTSC designed an innovative pod that allows the latest optical and electronics technologies to be quickly and reliably used in the rigorous Naval aviation environment. We're pleased that Raytheon's responsibilities on the SHARP program have evolved over the years to our current role of system production and integration. This role enables us to focus on enabling our customer's mission success.”  
 
The SHARP system was developed by a government and industry team composed of RTSC; Boeing; Recon/Optical, Inc.; L-3 Communications; and the U.S. Navy. While the initial payload suite provides advanced day/night imaging and real- time data linking to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, RTSC designed the pod to be highly adaptable to many sensor payloads and a wide range of aircraft.  
 
“SHARP is one element of the support Raytheon provides to the Super Hornet, and we're very proud of the contribution it has made to the success of the missions flown by this aircraft,” said John Balaguer, vice president and general manager of RTSC's Indianapolis-based business unit. “The system has proven itself with success in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and we will continue to work with the Navy and the rest of the SHARP team to ensure it continues to provide the capabilities and performance that are critical to successful mission completion.”  
 
Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, provides technology solutions for defense, federal and commercial customers worldwide. It specializes in Mission Support, engineering product solutions and engineering service solutions.  
 
Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 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 80,000 people worldwide.  
 
Background Information and Notes:
 
SHARP replaces the current Carrier Air Wing tactical reconnaissance capability provided by the film-based F-14 Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). Fleet introduction of the SHARP system on the F/A-18F Super Hornet began with early operational capability on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 2003 and continues on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in 2004.  
 
The RTSC-designed pod incorporates a rotating mid-section to optimize coverage to protect the window by allowing stowage under the strongback, and to reduce the size and life-cycle expense of large fixed windows. The pod's design also provides mobility — it mounts on a bomb rack like a smart weapon — allowing for more flexibility in reconnaissance mission planning. Although the initial systems employ electro-optical/infrared sensors for use on the F/A-18E/F aircraft, the pod design is readily adaptable to many sensor payloads on a wide range of aircraft.