Waco, Texas-based Raytheon Systems Company, well known for its military and head-of-state aircraft modification programs during the last 10 years, is venturing forth in the corporate market and is achieving impressive results.

"We're just now going out into the corporate market," RSC commercial programs director Kenneth Peek told Show News.

RSC has signed contracts to complete eleven Boeing Business Jets, representing almost one-third of the 35 announced BBJ orders, Peek said here yesterday. RSC has also signed an agreement to complete the first executive-configuration 777.

The firm has completed, modified and refurbished dozens of military special missions and head-of-state jets in the last decade, including U.S. Navy E6A command and control aircraft, plus other Boeing 707, 767 and 747 and Airbus 340 aircraft operated by governments. Peek attributes RSC's success to its strong engineering capabilities, its ability to integrate avionics and secure communications systems, and, especially, its ability to provide confidentially for its clients.

"This is a fairly narrow market niche," Peek said. "Not everyone can afford a 747 or an A340."

RSC was able to land the BBJ orders because of its history of success in completing and modifying other Boeing products, Peek said. "The BBJ is more like our traditional business. We're integrators. We have extremely strong engineering capabilities and we have experience in installing special equipment, such as secure communications systems, entertainment packages and even electronic counter measures gear."

BBJ customers, though, are more likely to appreciate RSC's ability to tie into Boeing's computers to retrieve BBJ engineering drawings, a capability equaled by few other completion firms, plus its virtual-reality cabin mock-ups that allow customers to "walk through" a completed aircraft on computer screens. If the customer wants changes in color, fabric or interior equipment, it can be done in moments on the computer with the results displayed on screen. "Our Pro/E engineering software can calculate the weight and balance changes within ounces and millimeters," Peek hastened to add.

RSC also has a computer-driven, rapid prototyping system that can build three-dimensional models or full-scale component maquettes. The firm claims to have the most advanced engineering computer system in the completion center business. It also has more than one-half million square feet of enclosed hangar space, it claims to have the largest custom cabinet shop-and iron-clad perimeter security. "We pride ourselves on doing completions very well and very quietly," Peek said.

By Fred George