Raytheon has been awarded a contract by the Defense Information Systems Agency to continue supporting a global research, test and evaluation computer network used by U.S. and coalition forces.

The Combined Federated Battle Laboratories Network (CFBLNet) allows for the testing of new multinational information-sharing capabilities before they're transitioned to the operational networks used worldwide to support Combatant Command operations.

CFBLNet allows coalition forces to know in advance which capabilities will help them share information quicker and more efficiently.

Raytheon has been providing installation, integration and engineering services to CFBLNet for more than a decade, as the network evolved from a temporary system supporting a single testing event to a year-round multinational system supporting a wide variety of coalition events in multiple security domains.

The newly awarded contract extends that support for another five years.

"Flexibility and responsiveness to rapidly changing schedules and priorities are another example of Raytheon's support for U.S. and coalition forces," said Mike Prout, vice president of Security and Transportation Systems for Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business.

"Together, we are ensuring the ability of coalition forces around the globe to explore, promote and confirm capabilities and interoperability before fielding."

The secure, high-speed CFBLNet is a backbone that supports initiatives like the annual Empire Challenge and Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, which showcase information-sharing technologies developed to fill operational capability gaps.