Raytheon's Gallium Nitride Establishes Radar Technology Standard

Raytheon's Gallium Nitride Establishes Radar Technology Standard
August 31, 2009

TEWKSBURY, Mass. - Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) innovative gallium nitride (GaN) chips have achieved 1,000 hours of reliable operation, positioning this technology as the standard for next generation radar capability.

GaN technology provides increased reliability and efficiency, resulting in lower prime power consumption and relaxed cooling requirements. Thus, GaN T/R modules provide significantly higher long-pulse radio frequency (RF) power than that of standard gallium arsenide (GaAs) T/R modules.

Most notably, Raytheon engineers have now successfully demonstrated the reliable operation of a GaN power amplifier microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) operating for more than 1,000 hours with no measurable performance degradation.

"This milestone enables us to insert GaN next generation capability into a multitude of air and missile defense programs," said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National & Theater Security Programs. "GaN will also give the warfighter significantly more mobility, capability and reliability on the battlefield. Its ability to run more efficiently than other technologies will help solve many of our customers' logistical concerns."

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 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 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.

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