Unmanned Blimps Provide Eyes-In-The-Sky For Troops In Iraq

Raytheon has been awarded a $5 million US Army contract option to provide Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) Mobile Eagle Eye tower systems to protect US and coalition forces in Iraq.

The contract calls for nine Mobile Eagle Eye elevated sensor systems with deliveries beginning in February 2008. Work will be performed at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, MA, and at the Warfighter Protection Center in Huntsville, AL.

"The equipment Raytheon is providing to support US military operations is helping to save the lives of our warfighters," said Pete Franklin, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs, for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "The joint Raytheon and US government team takes great pride in rapidly delivering this critical capability to our soldiers."

Raytheon first developed RAID to meet the military's critical need for persistent surveillance in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

RAID consists of infrared sensor systems and ground-based motion detection radars, elevated on a stationary platform, capable of detecting hostile troop and equipment movement at great distances. This capability enables US and coalition forces to respond rapidly to threatening situations, according to Raytheon.

FMI: www.raytheon.com