The Army gave Raytheon Co. [RTN] a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or CRADA, to investigate improvements to integrated air and missile defense mission effectiveness.

Under the five-year agreement, Raytheon will develop and implement a series of simulations-based investigations that share simulation and evaluation tools, software development and system integration expertise.

The Fires Center of Excellence Battle Lab at Fort Sill, Okla., will provide resources through an additional agreement and will benefit from the CRADA efforts.

The CRADA will include analysis to enhance near space and space payloads along with their controlling platforms and their associated command and control functions; improvements in overall battle command architecture; netted radars and sensors; intercept capability; and timelines for effect on targets.

"This CRADA is a result of nearly two years of collaboration between Raytheon and the Army," said Jack Costello, vice president of business development and strategic planning at Raytheon Network Centric Systems. "The resulting increase in battlefield capability will serve our warfighters well into the future."

In addition to Network Centric Systems, Raytheon Missile Systems and Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems will be involved in the partnership.