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1920s and 1930s - Beginnings
In 1922, Raytheon is founded as the American Appliance Company, a maker of machinery, motors and components.
In 1930, Texas Instruments is founded as Geophysical Service, Inc. a provider of contract exploration services
to the petroleum industry.
In 1932, Hughes Aircraft is created as a division of the Hughes Tool Company, with a
focus on military aircraft research and design; Beech Aircraft is established that same year.
In 1945, the Texas
Engineering and Manufacturing Company (TEMCO), precursor to E-Systems, is founded.
1940s - World War II Years
Raytheon meets urgent production needs for magnetron tubes used by Allied forces for radar defense,
and produces the Sea Going microwave surface search radar that went on every U.S. Navy ship. The SG
provided vital situational awareness in the major battles in the Pacific and helped eliminate the submarine
menace in the Battle of the Atlantic. TI also produces magnetic anomaly submarine detection devices for the
U.S. government, and shortly
after the war receives its first airborne radar system contract. Hughes plays a key defense role by producing
more than 1 million feet of its flexible Ammunition Feed Chute for aircraft, and developing the XF-11
Photoreconnaissance Plane. Beechcraft produces 7,400 planes for U.S. and Allied forces; around 90 percent
of all U.S. Army Air Corps bombardiers and navigators are trained in Beechcraft AT-7 and AT-11 planes.
1940s - Birds of Prey
As America re-arms after the war, Raytheon, Hughes and TI fill the skies with
a new generation of guided missiles … all named after birds, including Raytheon's
Lark Missile, Sparrow III (AIM-7) Missile, and HAWK (MIM-23) Systems; TI's Shrike Missile
(AGM-45); and Hughes' Falcon (AIM-4) Missile. In 1947, Beech introduces a magnificent bird of
its own: the Model 35 Beech Bonanza, a high-performance, single-engine, business airplane that's
still being made to this day, extending its industry record for continuous production.
1950s and 1960s - Reaching New Heights
In the fifties and early sixties, amazing innovations are everywhere. Raytheon's Lark Missile knocks a test
drone out of the air, becoming the first missile-mounted guidance
system and continuous wave radar capable of intercepting moving objects. TI leverages its knowledge of
silicon transistors to invent the integrated circuit, enabling the digital revolution and forever
changing the world. Hughes launches the first geosynchronous communications satellite, enabling
Americans to watch live coverage of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, a landmark in global broadcasting.
Beech introduces the Model 90 Beech King Air, which quickly establishes itself as the industry standard in
corporate jetprops. After several mergers and acquisitions, TEMCO becomes known as LTV, the company that
would spin off E-Systems just over a decade later.
1960s - To the Moon
The 1969 lunar landing captures the world's imagination, and Raytheon, TI and Hughes all play key roles.
Earlier in the decade, the Hughes-built Surveyor spacecraft completes the first successful soft lunar landing,
paving the way for the Apollo flights to follow. For Apollo 11, Raytheon builds the computer that guides the
space vehicles in their journey, and its on-board microwave tube transmits radio and TV signals to earth,
enabling millions to witness history live. The Apollo Guidance Computer gained the reputation of the most
reliable digital computer of its time as there were no failures of any type during the missions. And TI
contributes precision switches, thermostats, transistors, and other critical semiconductor components to
the program.
1970s - Vietnam Era
The AIM-7F Sparrow enters production to improve dog fight capability. TI's laser guided bombs absolutely
transform tactical air warfare, and the Hughes TOW anti-tank missile demonstrates high effectiveness when
introduced into combat.
1980s and 1990s - Modern Conflicts
In the Persian Gulf War, Raytheon's Patriot Missile intercepts Iraqi Scuds fired at Israel and Saudi
Arabia, becoming the first missile ever to engage a hostile ballistic missile in combat. TI's High-Speed
Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) and Paveway
laser-guided "smart bomb" constitute 65 percent of air-delivered weapons used by Coalition Forces in
Operation Desert Storm. Hughes develops its own state-of-the-art weapon system, the AMRAAM (AIM-120)
Missile. The U.S. Air Force selects the Beechjet for its T-1A Jayhawk program to train tanker and transport
pilots; the company will eventually deliver 180 aircraft for the program.
2000s - Raytheon Today
Raytheon today is a unique technology company and a world leader in defense electronics, with a broader
range of products, service and capabilities than ever before. The proud legacies of Raytheon, E-Systems,
Texas Instruments, Hughes Aircraft, Beechcraft and others have come together to form one company with one
vision: to be the most admired defense and aerospace systems supplier through world-class people and
technology. With the hard work and dedication of more than 79,000 employees, Raytheon is well-equipped to
meet the needs of its customers in over 70 countries ... today, tomorrow and well into the 21st century.
The Missions Ahead
In its 85th year, Raytheon is guided by a clear strategy of market leadership in the four
key mission areas of Missile Defense; Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance; Precision
Strike Systems; and Homeland Security. These are also priorities established by the Department of
Defense, and they align perfectly with Raytheon's capabilities. Raytheon technologies are critical
to all aspects of multi-layered missile defense. Raytheon has world-class capabilities for discovering,
monitoring, processing and disseminating tactical information. In Precision Strike, its unrivaled
technologies encompass everything from surveillance systems to integrated weapons systems. And for
Homeland Security, Raytheon has broad experience with the technologies, systems and services needed
to detect, protect and respond.
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