Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., USA - December 27, 2014 - For the first time, the U.S. Army lofted a blimp equipped with a new cruise-missile and drone-fighting radar system high above rural Maryland. The system, made by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and known as JLENS, consists of two helium-filled aerostats, or tethered blimps, that float 10,000 feet above the ground and carry powerful radars. The second aerostat is scheduled to go aloft in early 2015. Following a series of additional tests, it will also be turned over to the Soldiers, who will conduct an operational exercise with JLENS. During the exercise, information from JLENS will be used by NORAD, the U.S.-Canadian organization charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. JLENS has demonstrated its ability to integrate with defensive systems and help Patriot, AMRAAM, NASAMS and Standard Missile 6 intercept cruise missile targets.