$15.3 Million Navy Contract For Raytheon Portsmouth Facility Will Share Work With San Diego [US Navy, 2003-06-03]

Senator Lincoln Chafee today announced that the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs has awarded a $15.3 million firm fixed-priced contract to the Raytheon Company, Integrated Defense Systems of San Diego, California.

Raytheon's Portsmouth facility will conduct 45% of the work for the project, which is expected to be completed by February 2005.

"During this time of heightened security, I am pleased that the Navy has chosen the high-tech workforce at Raytheon's West Main Road facility to provide this vital element of our nation's defense," said Chafee. He noted that with approximately 1 600 workers, Raytheon is the largest private employer on Aquidneck Island and this contract will help boost the economy throughout Newport County.

The award calls for the construction of five Ship Self Defense Systems (SSDS) MK 2 Systems. The five systems will consist of two tactical systems (LHD-8) and (CVN-77) and three land based systems.

SSDS is designed to provide a rapid-reaction anti-air defense capability against high-speed, low-flying anti-ship missiles, now in the inventories of many potentially hostile nations.

The SSDS is intended to integrate and coordinate all existing sensors and weapons aboard ship. SSDS makes it possible to automate the detect and engage sequence through identification and engagement doctrine statements.

The system will eventually be installed aboard most classes of non-AEGIS ships.

More information is available through the Navy point of contact Pat Dolan at 202 781-2975.