Overview

Raytheon is a major American defense and aerospace technology brand whose roots extend to the American Appliance Company, founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1922 by Vannevar Bush, Laurence K. Marshall, and Charles G. Smith. The founders initially pursued refrigeration technology, but the company soon concentrated on electronics. Its early breakthrough was a helium-filled voltage-regulator tube marketed under the Raytheon name. The device helped replace the large batteries used in early radios with a household alternating-current power supply, creating the commercial foundation for the business. The company expanded rapidly through vacuum tubes, power equipment, maritime electronics, radar, and military systems. During the Second World War, Raytheon became a critical supplier of magnetrons and radar equipment. Its manufacturing contribution to radar helped establish the company as a leading defense-electronics contractor. Raytheon also produced components for proximity fuzes, including miniature shock-resistant vacuum tubes. In 1945, company scientist Percy Spencer discovered that microwave radiation from a magnetron could heat food, leading to the commercial Radarange microwave oven and, later, a substantial consumer-appliance business. After the war, Raytheon moved increasingly toward guided weapons and military electronics. It began missile production in 1948 and developed systems including Lark, Sparrow, Hawk, Phoenix, and Patriot. The company also worked on computers, navigation systems, marine electronics, semiconductors, educational publishing, aircraft, and household appliances. Its acquisition of Amana Refrigeration made Raytheon a major microwave-oven manufacturer, while its acquisition of Beech Aircraft and later the Hawker business created a sizeable general-aviation and business-aircraft operation. Raytheon sold its aircraft activities in 2007. During the 1990s, Raytheon transformed itself into a diversified defense prime contractor through acquisitions of E-Systems, defense businesses formerly associated with Chrysler and Texas Instruments, and Hughes Aircraft's aerospace and defense operations. The Patriot missile's performance and international visibility during the 1991 Gulf War strengthened Raytheon's position in global air and missile defense. By the 2010s, the company focused primarily on missiles, integrated air and missile defense, radar, command-and-control systems, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, cybersecurity, and other military technologies. More than 90 percent of its revenue was military-related in the period described by the historical record. Raytheon merged with United Technologies Corporation in April 2020 to create Raytheon Technologies, with the combined corporation headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. In 2023, Raytheon Technologies adopted the name RTX Corporation. RTX combined the former Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense activities into a new Raytheon business segment, alongside the Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney businesses. Raytheon therefore remains an active and internationally important operating brand, but it is no longer a separately listed corporation. Its best-known offerings include Patriot air and missile defense, Tomahawk cruise missiles, advanced radar, naval combat systems, and other defense electronics.

History

Raytheon began in 1922 as the American Appliance Company, established in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Vannevar Bush, Laurence K. Marshall, and Charles G. Smith. The founders soon abandoned their initial refrigeration emphasis and pursued electronics. Their first important product was a helium voltage-regulator tube based on Smith's astronomical research. Marketed as the Raytheon tube, it enabled radio users to draw regulated power from household electricity instead of relying on expensive batteries. The company adopted the Raytheon Manufacturing Company name in 1925 and expanded through a 1928 merger with Q.R.S. Company. Acquisitions such as Acme-Delta broadened its capabilities in transformers, power equipment, and electronic components. World War II established Raytheon as a major defense manufacturer. Working with the U.S. government and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Radiation Laboratory, the company mass-produced magnetrons for airborne, shipborne, and ground radar. It also manufactured radar systems and components for proximity fuzes. By the end of the war, Raytheon had produced a very large share of U.S. magnetrons. Percy Spencer's work with magnetrons led to the microwave oven, which Raytheon demonstrated commercially as the Radarange in 1947. The postwar company diversified into marine electronics, radio and television equipment, semiconductors, computers, and guided weapons. It acquired the Submarine Signal Company and developed missile guidance technologies. Raytheon's Lark, Sparrow, Hawk, Patriot, and Phoenix programs helped make missiles and air defense central to its identity. The company also produced the RAYDAC computer for the U.S. Navy and manufactured the Apollo Guidance Computer. Consumer activities grew after the acquisition of Amana Refrigeration, and Raytheon later owned other appliance businesses, including the Speed Queen line for a period. From the 1980s through the 1990s, Raytheon became a broad aerospace and defense prime contractor. Its purchase of Beech Aircraft and the later addition of Hawker business jets created an aircraft division that included King Air turboprops, business jets, trainers, and special-mission aircraft. That operation was sold in 2007. In defense, acquisitions of E-Systems, former Chrysler defense assets, Texas Instruments' defense electronics unit, and Hughes Aircraft's aerospace and defense business added major capabilities in sensors, missiles, command systems, and electronic warfare. Raytheon's Patriot system gained worldwide attention during the 1991 Gulf War. In the 2000s and 2010s, Raytheon concentrated further on defense technology. It acquired robotics, signal-processing, cybersecurity, and intelligence businesses, including Sarcos, Applied Signal Technology, Websense, Foreground Security, and Stonesoft-related assets. The company continued competing for large U.S. military programs, including the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar program, later known as 3DELRR. Its business increasingly centered on integrated air and missile defense, precision weapons, radar, electronic warfare, cyber operations, and mission systems. Raytheon merged with United Technologies in 2020. The resulting company was initially named Raytheon Technologies and was headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. In 2023, it was renamed RTX Corporation, and RTX reorganized the former Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense units into the present Raytheon business segment. The Raytheon name consequently continues as a major operating brand rather than an independent publicly traded company. The business remains associated with Patriot, Tomahawk, Standard Missile, AMRAAM, advanced radar, and other systems supplied primarily to the United States and allied governments.

2023
Parent becomes RTX Corporation
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon Technologies changes its corporate name to RTX and creates the current Raytheon business segment.
2020
Combination with United Technologies
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon merges with United Technologies to create Raytheon Technologies.
2007
Aircraft operations are sold
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon divests its aircraft operations, ending its principal role as an aircraft manufacturer.
1997
Hughes aerospace and defense business acquired
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
The transaction adds major missile, electronics, and aerospace-defense capabilities.
1991
Patriot gains global visibility
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
The Patriot system receives extensive international attention during the Gulf War.
1980
Beech Aircraft is acquired
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition expands Raytheon's presence in general aviation and aircraft manufacturing.
1966
Apollo Guidance Computer work
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon manufactures the Apollo Guidance Computer used on NASA's Apollo missions.
1948
Guided-missile manufacturing begins
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon enters guided weapons production and later develops major air-defense and air-to-air missile families.
1947
Radarange microwave oven demonstrated
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon demonstrates a commercial microwave oven based on magnetron technology.
1941
World War II radar production expands
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Raytheon begins large-scale production of magnetrons, radar equipment, and proximity-fuze components.
1928
Merger with Q.R.S. Company
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
The merger strengthens Raytheon's position in electron tubes and related electronics.
1925
Raytheon name enters commercial use
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
The company changes its name to Raytheon Manufacturing Company and markets its voltage-regulator tube.
1922
American Appliance Company is founded
[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Vannevar Bush, Laurence K. Marshall, and Charles G. Smith establish the company in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Products and positioning

Advanced defense, aerospace, sensing, and mission-systems supplier serving governments and military customers.

Air and missile defense
Patriot
Patriot is a ground-based air and missile defense family that combines phased-array radar, command-and-control equipment, launchers, and interceptor missiles. It is designed to detect, track, identify, and engage aircraft, cruise missiles, and selected ballistic-missile threats. Patriot became one of Raytheon's most visible international defense products after its use during the Gulf War and remains operated by the United States and numerous allied countries.
Cruise missile
Tomahawk
Tomahawk is a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile used primarily for land-attack missions. The system is launched from naval platforms and uses navigation, guidance, and mission-planning technologies to reach targets at extended range. Raytheon has been associated with production, modernization, and support of the missile family through U.S. Navy and allied programs.
Naval radar
AN/SPY-6
AN/SPY-6 is a family of shipborne active electronically scanned array radars developed for modern naval air and missile defense. Its modular architecture is intended to provide improved detection, tracking, discrimination, and resistance to complex threats compared with earlier generations of shipboard radar. Variants are associated with U.S. Navy surface combatants and other maritime applications.
Ground-based radar · 2020
LTAMDS
The Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor is a next-generation radar intended to improve the U.S. Army's ability to detect and track advanced aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic-missile threats. Raytheon developed the radar as a replacement and enhancement for elements of the Patriot sensor architecture, with emphasis on broader coverage and improved performance against modern threats.
Air-to-air missile
AMRAAM
The Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile is a radar-guided air-to-air weapon used by the United States and international customers. It provides beyond-visual-range engagement capability and has also been adapted for ground-based air-defense applications. Raytheon is a principal developer and producer of the AMRAAM family.
Surface-to-air missile
Hawk
Hawk is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed during the Cold War. It combines surveillance and engagement radars, command equipment, launchers, and missiles to defend against aircraft and related aerial threats. The system became a widely exported Raytheon air-defense product and has undergone multiple modernization cycles.

Controversies

2024
Export-control settlement
RTX agreed to a $200 million civil settlement concerning alleged unauthorized exports of defense articles, technical data, and services involving China, Russia, Iran, and other destinations. The settlement included funds for compliance remediation.
Source
2024
Defense contracting and Qatar bribery resolution
RTX agreed to pay nearly $1 billion to resolve U.S. allegations involving fraud against the Defense Department and improper payments to a Qatari military official. The company stated that much of the conduct predated the 2020 merger and said it would strengthen compliance controls.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Creation of the current Raytheon segmentStrategy
Background
RTX reorganized its defense businesses after changing the corporate name from Raytheon Technologies to RTX Corporation.
Action taken
The former Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense businesses were combined into the new Raytheon segment.
Aftermath
Raytheon continued as an operating brand and business unit rather than a separately listed company.
Source
2020
Merger with United TechnologiesM&A
Background
The combination was intended to create a large aerospace and defense group with complementary military, commercial aerospace, propulsion, and systems businesses.
Action taken
Raytheon merged with United Technologies to form Raytheon Technologies, while the operating Raytheon businesses became part of the new corporation.
Aftermath
The parent later adopted the RTX name and reorganized its Raytheon activities into a single business segment.
Source
2007
Exit from aircraft manufacturingStrategy
Background
Raytheon had built a substantial aircraft business through Beech Aircraft and the Hawker product line, but its strategic center increasingly lay in defense electronics and weapons.
Action taken
The company sold its aircraft operations, which subsequently became Hawker Beechcraft and later part of Textron Aviation.
Aftermath
Raytheon concentrated more heavily on missiles, sensors, radar, command systems, and other defense technologies.
Source

Recent events

2024
Christopher Calio becomes RTX chief executive officer[6]克里斯托弗·卡利奥成为RTX首席执行官rtx.com
Leadership change
Christopher Calio succeeded Gregory Hayes as chief executive, while Hayes became executive chairman.
2023
China sanctions Raytheon over arms sales to Taiwan[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
Regulation
Chinese authorities announced sanctions connected with Raytheon's participation in arms sales to Taiwan.
2023
Raytheon Technologies adopts RTX corporate identity[7]雷神技术采用RTX企业身份en.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
The company changed its legal name from Raytheon Technologies Corporation to RTX Corporation and made RTX its primary corporate brand.
2023
Pratt & Whitney GTF inspections create operational and financial pressure[5]普惠GTF粉末金属问题rtx.com
Recall · Other
A manufacturing issue involving powdered-metal components in certain GTF engines led to accelerated inspections, aircraft groundings, customer disruption, and substantial charges and provisions reported by RTX.
2023
Raytheon Technologies changes corporate name to RTX[7]雷神技术采用RTX企业身份en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company adopted RTX Corporation as its corporate name while continuing to operate through its Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon businesses.
2022
Raytheon Technologies moves headquarters to Arlington[7]雷神技术采用RTX企业身份en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company announced and completed the relocation of its global headquarters from the Boston-area campus to Arlington, Virginia.
2022
Raytheon Technologies announces headquarters move to Arlington[7]雷神技术采用RTX企业身份en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company announced that its global headquarters would move to Arlington, Virginia, and completed the relocation later that year.
2020
Raytheon merges with United Technologies to form Raytheon Technologies[1]Raytheonen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Raytheon and United Technologies completed their combination, creating Raytheon Technologies and moving Raytheon's operating activities into the new parent structure.
2020
Raytheon Technologies completes merger of Raytheon and United Technologies aerospace businesses[7]雷神技术采用RTX企业身份en.wikipedia.org
M&A
The combination created the company initially known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation after United Technologies separated Otis and Carrier.
2020
RTX announces commercial-aerospace workforce reductions during COVID-19 downturn[7]雷神技术采用RTX企业身份en.wikipedia.org
Other
The company announced more than 8,000 planned job cuts in its commercial aviation operations as the pandemic sharply reduced air travel and aircraft demand.

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