Integrated Solutions Capable of Protecting Indian People Now by Raytheon IDS

Homeland security has taken on even greater importance to countries the world over in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. As a means of addressing this critical need, U.S.-based Raytheon Company, one of the world’s premier aerospace and defense companies, has an integrated solution capable of shoring up today’s security environment.

It’s called the Athena Multi-Domain Awareness System — and it can be delivered quickly to help the Indian government address its homeland security needs and keep its people safe.

Athena is a port and border security solution that provides key personnel with real-time situational and domain awareness, so they can quickly analyze threats and make the right security decisions. It does this by quickly integrating vast amounts of data from multiple sensors and existing databases. The result is critical, usable information that can be used to monitor borders, ports and other key points of entry. Athena can also be used to help during natural disasters.

With a look and feel common to existing command and control centers, Athena is also user-friendly. Its framework is based on a tiered service-oriented architecture, uses off-the-shelf components, and conforms to Department of Defense architecture framework standards. Athena works with a wide range of sensors, and collaborates seamlessly across command centers and enterprise systems.

It’s possible that with Athena in place and functioning, the Mumbai attacks might have been brought to an earlier close — or perhaps averted altogether.

A Technology Leader Since 1922

Raytheon, with global headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets worldwide. Raytheon provides award-winning manufacturing capability; a highly skilled workforce; prime integration experience; a robust supply chain; and proven, affordable technical solutions.

Protecting the nation’s air and sea ports, borders, railroads and highways is a top priority for Raytheon. As such, the company’s Integrated Defense Systems business, based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has a long history of providing the U.S. Department of Defense with an array of leading-edge homeland defense and homeland security solutions — and Athena is one of those capabilities.

Athena: Proven Effective Over Multiple Deployments

Raytheon’s highly effective Athena Multi-Domain Situational Awareness System has been proven over multiple deployments in a wide variety of environments — both in the United States and internationally. It has provided permanent multi-domain awareness capability to tactical action teams and host nation naval officials in two global maritime partner countries.

In addition, Raytheon is now providing this capability to one of America’s important port cities — Providence, Rhode Island. Athena has been deployed to improve port security with extended radar and video surveillance capabilities for northern Narragansett Bay and the Port of Providence. As a result, city officials now have advanced warning and improved situational awareness needed to maintain port security.

RAID: Saving Lives With Low-Cost, Persistent Surveillance

Another proven Raytheon homeland security solution is the innovative Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) system. RAID increases situational awareness by employing a variety of platforms (aerostat, tower or mast) and sensor suites to provide unprecedented elevated persistent surveillance. By providing reliable force protection, RAID serves as a force multiplier, allowing forces to focus on mission objectives.

Raytheon first developed RAID to respond to the U.S. military’s critical need for persistent surveillance. The multifunction battlefield system is currently in wide use throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and coalition allies. Since its initial deployment to Afghanistan in 2003, RAID has evolved significantly from elevated standalone sensors to integrated/netted sensors supporting precision targeting.

Raytheon’s deep experience in both aerostat and tower-mounted systems significantly reduces customer risk, which is especially important when soldiers' lives are at stake. With several years of operation in hostile territory, the RAID system has maintained an operational readiness in excess of >90 percent.

As terrorism continues to expand globally, RAID has tremendous application for homeland security as well — especially in the area of border surveillance. Many countries are seeing the need for this state-of-the-art, elevated and persistent surveillance capability for internal domestic security and support to deployed forces.

What’s more, RAID’s major assemblies are off-the-shelf, enabling fast delivery at minimal cost and simplifying maintenance and repair. And only a small crew is required for initial setup.