The U.S. Navy has awarded a multi-year contract authorizing Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) to begin development of the Advanced Airborne Sensor, the follow-on to the Littoral Surveillance Radar System (LSRS).

The AAS program will equip the P-8A Poseidon, the Navy's next patrol maritime aircraft. LSRS is currently operational on Navy P-3C Orions; the AAS will provide airborne radar surveillance with next-generation line-of-site capability.

Awareness and action are critical not only to today's mission, but the ever changing threats of tomorrow. "We will be ready with intelligent technology when the Poseidon takes its place as the Navy's ISR capability in the fleet," said Capt. Scott Anderson, LSRS and AAS program manager.

As the sensor prime contractor, Raytheon will oversee the mission systems integration, consisting of the development, production and installation of the AAS on the Poseidon. Raytheon will work closely with its associate prime contractor, Boeing, for engineering, aircraft modifications, integration and flight test.

"This is a major leap in technology in support of our customer's missions," said Tim Carey, vice president for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems. "As the demand for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems increases, we are proud to provide our customers with ISR capabilities that are recognized around the world."

By maximizing the incorporation of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies, the AAS will be highly supportable, maintainable, scalable and upgradeable, reducing unit production and life cycle costs.

Raytheon also provides continuing mission support of Navy operations, logistics and sustaining engineering of LSRS through a previously awarded multi-year performance-based contract.