ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced delivery today of the 585th High-power Switch Network to Raytheon Missile Systems for the Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS), and expects to deliver the 600th unit by September 2007. This milestone is part of the latest contract award for the system, where EMS will deliver 41 units to Raytheon beginning in June and continuing until 2008.
Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun system designed to defeat missile attacks and other close-in air threats by tracking multiple targets simultaneously. It contains a fully integrated radar-infrared surveillance and tracking sensor suite, providing automatic or manual acquisition and track of enemy threats. This capability, coupled with the fire power of the six optimized gun barrels, guarantees protection of crews and their ships against an increased number of threats. More than 895 Phalanx systems have been built and deployed in the navies of 24 nations.
Since 1988, EMS Technologies' Defense & Space Systems Division has provided the High-power Switch Network antenna subsystem critical to the Phalanx CIWS's ability to rapidly search and target incoming threats.
"We are proud of our many years of support to Phalanx CIWS, and of our longstanding partnership with Raytheon to provide the critical switching and tracking capabilities that ensure our naval forces can respond to emerging threats," stated Michael Fatig, vice president, Business Development, for EMS Defense & Space Systems. "EMS switch networks are well known for reliable, fast and efficient switching of high power signals in harsh environments, and the Phalanx CIWS is regularly deployed in the harshest of environments."
"EMS Technologies has demonstrated again and again its ability to deliver RF switching solutions that are integral to the Phalanx CIWS. We look forward to many more years of collaboration," said Kevin Peppe, Raytheon's Phalanx program director.
About Raytheon Company
Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 80,000 people worldwide.
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a wireless and satellite communication solutions leader, serving aeronautical, defense, maritime, commercial space and supply chain markets. Through its LXE, EMS SATCOM, and Defense & Space Systems divisions, EMS keeps people, systems and data connected, wherever they are -- on the ground, in the warehouse, in the air, or in space. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide and operates major manufacturing facilities in Atlanta and Ottawa, Canada.
EMS Technologies' Defense & Space Systems Division develops advanced technology systems for military and space applications. The Division provides critical subsystems for communication, radar and electronic warfare systems.
For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.
Editor's Note: To download a high-resolution image of Phalanx CIWS, visit www.ems-t.com/images/Phalanx.jpg.