Strengthening Ties

It was a friendly visit, an opportunity for a newly appointed minister to hear how Raytheon supports the U.K. with next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to counter today’s rapidly evolving global threats.

On Feb. 1, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales Nigel Adams MP toured Raytheon UK’s Broughton site, a defence hub for ISR. The company performs systems integration work for the Airborne Stand-Off Reconnaissance, or ASTOR, program at the facility.

“Raytheon is using its established partnership with the Ministry of Defence to drive forward the north Wales economy," said Adams, who was appointed in November.

Earlier in the year, the company won a £250 million MOD contract to provide 11 years of support and sustainment services to the Royal Air Force’s Shadow aircraft fleet in Broughton. The contract will create 200 full-time jobs in North Wales and maintain an additional 250 jobs within the supply chain.

“The contract will cement our position as one of the most competitive places in the world to deliver security and innovation,” Adams said.

In the past 10 years, the company has invested £200 million in research and development to further Britain’s innovation and technological advances.

Raytheon has facilities across England, Scotland and Wales that develop advanced defence and security systems, cyber protection and skilled training. The company employs 1,700 people across the U.K. and supports another 8,000 jobs.
 
"I was delighted to welcome the minister to Broughton to meet some of our highly skilled workers and apprentices to showcase the unique capability we offer to the U.K. as a world-leading ISR hub,” said Roland Howell, director of ISR for Raytheon UK.