MCKINNEY, Texas, Aug. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will deploy two prototype high energy laser weapon systems to troops overseas under a U.S. Air Force contract. The Air Force experimentation includes 12 months of in-field operation against unmanned aerial systems and operator training.

Raytheon's HELWS uses pure energy to detect, identify and instantly take down drones. It can target a single drone with precision. The HELWS is paired with Raytheon's Multi-spectral Targeting System. It uses invisible beams of light to defeat hostile UASs. Mounted on a Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicle, the system detects, identifies, tracks and engages drones.

"Every day, there's another story about a rogue drone incident," said Stefan Baur, vice president of Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems. "These threats aren't going away, and in many instances, shooting them with a high energy laser weapon system is the most effective and safest way to bring them down."

The contract follows successful demonstrations of Raytheon's directed energy systems for the Air Force and the U.S. Army.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I® products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Follow us on Twitter.

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SOURCE Raytheon Company