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Raytheon

Short answer: Raytheon is one of RTX Corporation's three business segments, alongside Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney. The company began in 1922 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as the American Appliance Company, founded by Laurence K.

Marshall, Vannevar Bush and Charles G. Smith. Its first hit product was a gas-filled rectifier tube, named Raytheon ('light from the gods'), that let radios run on household current instead of batteries. The company took the tube's name and grew through radar and microwave work, including the first microwave ovens. In April 2020, Raytheon Company merged with United Technologies to form Raytheon Technologies, which renamed itself RTX in 2023. Today the Raytheon segment makes air and missile defense systems such as Patriot, the AN/SPY-6 family of naval radars, missiles and sensors. RTX reported Raytheon's 2024 net sales at $26.7 billion, with growth from Patriot, NASAMS and counter-drone programs. Raytheon's own site lists more than 52,000 employees, and in 2024 it sold its cybersecurity, intelligence and services business. RTX as a whole has a backlog of about $218 billion. The footage is corporate promotional video: control rooms, a missile launch, lab work and a Raytheon sign.

VideoWrite-up4 sources

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What should you know about Raytheon?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Raytheon was founded in 1922 as the American Appliance Company.

    DD-621-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded in 1922)

  2. RTX reported Raytheon's 2024 net sales at $26.7 billion.

    DD-621-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit E ($26.7 billion)

Video transcript: Raytheon: It Started With a Radio Tube

DID YOU KNOW? Raytheon a core division of RTX Corporation is a leading aerospace and defense contractor specializing in advanced weaponry and sensor systems. Established in 1922, it develops technologies like the Patriot missile defense system and ANSPY-6 radar for naval ships. Raytheon's expertise spans missile guidance, radar, and electronic warfare with innovation supporting hypersonic weapons and cyber security. Employing around 70,000 people, it generates over $30 billion annually. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 27.0s Reel ·

Video coming soonRaytheon · Instagram Reel
Raytheon: It Started With a Radio Tube Instagram Reel · · 27.0s

The write-up

It started with a radio tube. Raytheon reported $26.7 billion in net sales for 2024.

  1. Exhibit A

    Founded in 1922

    Raytheon began in 1922 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as the American Appliance Company.

  2. Exhibit B

    A radio tube

    Its Raytheon rectifier tube let radios run on household current, and the company took its name.

  3. Exhibit C

    Part of RTX

    Raytheon merged with United Technologies in 2020. The combined company is now RTX.

  4. Exhibit D

    Patriot and SPY-6

    Raytheon makes the Patriot air defense system and the AN/SPY-6 family of naval radars.

  5. Exhibit E

    $26.7 billion

    RTX reported Raytheon's 2024 net sales at $26.7 billion.

Questions people ask about Raytheon

What was Raytheon called when it was founded in 1922?

In Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded in 1922) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation

What was the original Raytheon product?

It let radios run on household current.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (A radio tube) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation

Which company did Raytheon merge with in 2020?

The combined company is now RTX.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Part of RTX) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation; RTX 2024 Annual Report (SEC filing)

Which air defense system does Raytheon make?

It also makes the AN/SPY-6 naval radars.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Patriot and SPY-6) · RTX: RTX Reports 2024 Results and Announces 2025 Outlook (January 28, 2025); Raytheon: Who We Are

What were Raytheon's 2024 net sales?

As reported by RTX in January 2025.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E ($26.7 billion) · RTX: RTX Reports 2024 Results and Announces 2025 Outlook (January 28, 2025)

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What was Raytheon called when it was founded in 1922?

    1. The American Appliance Company
    2. United Technologies
    3. General Radio
    4. Hughes Aircraft
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The American Appliance Company In Cambridge, Massachusetts. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded in 1922) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation

  2. What was the original Raytheon product?

    1. A rectifier tube for radios
    2. A missile
    3. A jet engine
    4. A refrigerator
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A rectifier tube for radios It let radios run on household current. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (A radio tube) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation

  3. Which company did Raytheon merge with in 2020?

    1. United Technologies
    2. Boeing
    3. Lockheed Martin
    4. General Electric
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. United Technologies The combined company is now RTX. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Part of RTX) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation; RTX 2024 Annual Report (SEC filing)

  4. Which air defense system does Raytheon make?

    1. Patriot
    2. Iron Dome
    3. S-400
    4. Aegis Ashore only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Patriot It also makes the AN/SPY-6 naval radars. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Patriot and SPY-6) · RTX: RTX Reports 2024 Results and Announces 2025 Outlook (January 28, 2025); Raytheon: Who We Are

  5. What were Raytheon's 2024 net sales?

    1. $26.7 billion
    2. $2.67 billion
    3. $267 billion
    4. $267 million
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. $26.7 billion As reported by RTX in January 2025. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E ($26.7 billion) · RTX: RTX Reports 2024 Results and Announces 2025 Outlook (January 28, 2025)

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Raytheon." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-621, last updated Jul 23, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/raytheon/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/raytheon/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-621-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/raytheon/#DD-621-F01

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