Raytheon to support radar for counter-narcotics missions

CHESAPEAKE, Va., April 27 (UPI) -- Raytheon has received a U.S. Navy contract to operate and maintain a relocatable long-range radar used to counter narco-terrrorism.

The contract for the Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar, or ROTHR, was issued by the Navy's Naval Supply Systems Command and carries a value of as much as $104 million.

"Raytheon and ROTHR technology help to make the world a safer place," said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. "Our team will work closely with the U.S. Navy's Forces Surveillance Support Center and the Joint Interagency Task Force South, tracking hundreds of illegal activities every year that threaten to enter our borders."

ROTHR is a high-frequency radar system originally built for detection and tracking of aircraft and ships. Each radar provides more than 2.5 million square miles of coverage area.

In just one interdiction, ROTHR operation led directly to the seizure of 4.5 metric tons of cocaine, valued at approximately $90 million.

Under the award, Raytheon will provide mission support to ROTHR, collecting detection and tracking data for operational commanders. The operations and maintenance support is be performed at ROTHR's six locations in Puerto Rico, Texas and Virginia.