TEWKSBURY, Mass., Oct. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $14.6 million U.S. Navy contract to produce and deliver AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization Systems.

AMNS, an essential component of the Navy's organic mine countermeasures family of systems, is deployed by the MH-60S multimission helicopter to locate and destroy underwater mines previously detected by Raytheon's AN/AQS-20A minehunting sonar system. Both AMNS and AN/AQS-20A provide critical capabilities that make seaborne mine clearance missions significantly more effective, efficient and safe.

"Seaborne mines continue to present an enormous threat to naval forces around the globe," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) Kevin Peppe, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. "AMNS is a tested and proven solution, allowing sailors to safely and effectively execute their mine countermeasure mission with confidence."

AMNS consists of a helicopter-based control console as well as a launch and handling system (LHS) equipped with four unmanned Archerfish™ neutralizer vehicles. A helicopter operator uses the Archerfish to destroy mines via remote control. Raytheon IDS is the prime production supplier for the AMNS LHS, working closely with its international partner, BAE Systems, Portsmouth, U.K., which separately produces the Archerfish.

Under the contract, Raytheon will assemble, test and deliver launch and handling system units for AMNS and provide related engineering services. The contract also includes an option to provide additional systems in 2011. Work will be performed at Raytheon IDS' Seapower Capability Center, Portsmouth, R.I.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 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 75,000 people worldwide.

SOURCE Raytheon Company