Raytheon gets $1.32 billion training plane contract

LEXINGTON – Having successfully persuaded the Navy and Air Force that it had fixed whatever problems the Defense Department had with its jet training plane for potential pilots, Raytheon Corp. has won a $1.32 billion five-year contract to supply the two services with 234 of the planes designated the T-6A Texan. Initially, Raytheon Aircraft of Wichita, Kan., under a one-year agreement will supply 40 planes, ground-based training devices and technical support for $193 million. Deliveries of those planes is scheduled for 2004. The Air Force and Navy have options for 194 more of the planes through 2008, a Raytheon spokesman told the Associated Press.