Original Date: 09/14/1998
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Video teleconferencing is a method of visually and audibly linking multiple conference sites by using a standard dial- up telephone system. Cameras are used to send images of the attendees as well as to transmit slide images, documents, and video tapes to the linked sites. Over the years, Raytheon Missile Systems Company’s (RMSC’s) evolving video teleconferencing capability has improved its communications with other sites and reduced travel expenses.

The origin of video teleconferencing at the Tucson site began in 1981 when the facility was known as Hughes Missile Systems. The first link was set up between the Manufacturing Business Unit in Tucson, Arizona and the Engineering Business Unit in Canoga Park, California a distance of 500 miles. The insight demonstrated by Hughes (now RMSC) to use video teleconferencing was ahead of its time. In 1981, video teleconferencing was limited to black and white, used a frame-capture system, and required 45 seconds to transmit a picture. The company advanced to a full color version with a five-second frame rate in 1983, and a simulated live TV version with a four-second frame rate in 1986. By 1987, all of its business units were linked. Because of Hughes’ early pioneering efforts to pursue this technology, video teleconferencing has become an efficient and effective business tool. This readily-available COTS product is now used throughout the world.

Today, Raytheon has approximately 114 rooms within the corporation that are equipped with video teleconferencing capability and compatible dial-up systems. Eight Video Teleconferencing Centers (VTCs) are located at the Tucson site: two in executive rooms, one each in engineering and the Knowledge Center Southwest, and four dedicated to the AMRAAM, Tomahawk, AIM-9X, and TOW programs. These VTCs are available to all levels of personnel who have special communication needs.

Video teleconferencing continues to pay great dividends to RMSC. These benefits include improving communications through immediate face-to-face meetings; achieving a higher level of participation from employees; producing cost savings through reduced travel time; minimizing delays by encouraging on-the-spot decision making; and developing closer ties between the company and the customer.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.