Raytheon and WorldSpace Launch Cutting Edge Global Disaster Warning, Response and Recovery System in Sri Lanka
Share:
Satellite-Based Broadcast System to Save Lives, Minimize Disaster Impact
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 /--
What: Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) and WorldSpace Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:WRSP) test-launched the global Disaster Warning, Response, and Recovery (DWRR) broadcast system. The new system -- which combines commercial satellites, 24/7/365 network operations -- is the product of an alliance among the two communication and technology leaders.
DWRR is a real-time emergency alert and recovery tool for use in disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes. DWRR reaches into remote areas, and to mobile users such as emergency response vehicles. It also serves to fill communication gaps when power is out, or when infrastructure is destroyed or overloaded. DWRR dispatches audio alerts to warn people that a disaster is imminent and, during disaster recovery, delivers vital information to governments and relief agencies in the affected areas.
When: January 9, 2006
Who: Patricia Perlini, Raytheon Company, 260-418-4070
Wilson Baker, WorldSpace Satellite Radio, 301-960-1203
Why: The 2004 tsunami wiped out the telephone and power infrastructure in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. As a result, emergency responders lacked the news and instructions they needed to distribute critical relief supplies -- food, water, medicine, and clothing -- to the hardest-hit areas.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2004 sales of $20.2 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 80,000 people worldwide. http://www.raytheon.com/
About WorldSpace
WorldSpace is the world's only global media and entertainment company positioned to offer a satellite radio experience to consumers in more than 130 countries with five billion people, driving 300 million cars. WorldSpace delivers the latest tunes, trends and information from around the world and around the corner. WorldSpace subscribers benefit from a unique combination of local programming, original WorldSpace content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio UK, NDTV and RFI. WorldSpace's satellites cover two-thirds of the globe with six beams. Each beam is capable of delivering up to 80 channels of high quality digital audio and multimedia programming directly to WorldSpace Satellite Radios anytime and virtually anywhere in its coverage area. WorldSpace is a pioneer of satellite- based digital radio services (DARS) and was instrumental in the development of the technology infrastructure used today by XM Satellite Radio. For more information, visit http://www.worldspace.com/
CONTACT: Patricia Perlini of Raytheon Company, +1-260-418-4070; or Wilson Baker of WorldSpace Satellite Radio, +1-301-960-1203
