Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology 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.
UAV (Unmanned Airborne Vehicle) Threat Mitigation -- Develop an enabling technology that could be used to build systems to detect, track, and/or intercept a UAV that might weigh between one and one hundred pounds, have a wingspan between one foot and ten feet, and cruise at up to 100 mph at an altitude of up to 500 ft.
Vehicle Tag & Track -- The challenge is to develop enabling technology to support covert tagging and tracking of a vehicle. The tag must be undetectable to casual observers, and resistant to detection by search. Discovery of the tag must not lead to discovery of the total system. The system must be able to track the vehicle for hundreds of miles and be viable for several days. Should the tracked vehicle be “lost”, the system must be able to reacquire the vehicle and resume tracking.
Chemical / Biological Detection -- The challenge is to develop a sensor with a high probability of detection, low false-alarm rate for chemical, biological, and toxic industrial chemical agents, such as anthrax bacteria, smallpox virus, sarin toxin and chlorine gas. Such sensors would be part of a system to protect fixed facilities such as buildings and water systems, and might also be used to detect airborne plumes. The sensor shall detect the presence of these agents and/or their potential breakdown products without operator involvement. The system will need to detect and identify toxic agent vapors during the day, night and all weather conditions, and track parameters such as composition, shape, and mass of a vapor cloud in real time.
Stand-Off Explosive Detection -- The challenge is to develop a method and enabling technology for a high probability of detection, low false-alarm sensor system to detect explosives and /or explosive residues at any stage of bomb production, deployment, or pre-initiation from a range outside the damage radius, typically greater than 10 meters, even if the explosive agent is inside a container. The system must be able to detect explosives with concentrations as low as 0.2µg/cm2 which represents a finger print within 2 seconds. Also important is the ability to distinguish between everyday uses and dangerous concentrations of component materials.
Semi-Submersible Detection -- The challenge is to develop a method and enabling technology for detecting and tracking a semi-submersible vessel. Skimming just below the surface with only “snorkel” systems above, semi-submersibles are extremely difficult to detect from surveillance aircraft or patrol boats. Their sleek design, up to 80 feet in length, can secretly carry several tons of cargo thousands of miles. These semi-submersibles mark a significant advancement in the ability of drug smugglers to slip past coastal defenses.