# Raytheon (DD-621)

> 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.

- Department: Military (also Tech)
- First published: 2025-07-23
- Last updated: 2025-07-23
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/raytheon/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1922**: The American Appliance Company is founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- **April 2020**: Raytheon merges with United Technologies
- **2023**: Raytheon Technologies renames itself RTX

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=raytheon

## Quick facts

- **DD-621-F01**: Raytheon was founded in 1922 as the American Appliance Company. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded in 1922))_
- **DD-621-F02**: RTX reported Raytheon's 2024 net sales at $26.7 billion. _(Write-up · Exhibit E ($26.7 billion))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Founded in 1922**: Raytheon began in 1922 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as the American Appliance Company.
2. **A radio tube**: Its Raytheon rectifier tube let radios run on household current, and the company took its name.
3. **Part of RTX**: Raytheon merged with United Technologies in 2020. The combined company is now RTX.
4. **Patriot and SPY-6**: Raytheon makes the Patriot air defense system and the AN/SPY-6 family of naval radars.
5. **$26.7 billion**: RTX reported Raytheon's 2024 net sales at $26.7 billion.

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## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Employing around 70,000 people': I can't match that. Raytheon's own site lists more than 52,000 employees for the segment. RTX as a whole is much larger.
- **Note**: 'It generates over $30 billion annually': RTX reported Raytheon's 2024 net sales at $26.7 billion, so I'd call that an overstatement.
- **Note**: 'ANSPY-6 radar': the designation is written AN/SPY-6. I left the on-screen spelling in the transcript.
- **Note**: 'Cyber security': Raytheon sold its cybersecurity, intelligence and services business in 2024, so that part is out of date.

## Video: Raytheon: It Started With a Radio Tube

- Duration: 27.0 s · Published: 2025-07-23
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DMdpRIUS7TM.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What was Raytheon called when it was founded in 1922?**  
A: In Cambridge, Massachusetts. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Founded in 1922) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation)_

**Q: What was the original Raytheon product?**  
A: It let radios run on household current. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (A radio tube) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation)_

**Q: Which company did Raytheon merge with in 2020?**  
A: The combined company is now RTX. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Part of RTX) · Wikipedia: RTX Corporation; RTX 2024 Annual Report (SEC filing))_

**Q: Which air defense system does Raytheon make?**  
A: 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)_

**Q: What were Raytheon's 2024 net sales?**  
A: 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))_

## Sources

- [RTX: RTX Reports 2024 Results and Announces 2025 Outlook (January 28, 2025)](https://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2025-01-28-RTX-Reports-2024-Results-and-Announces-2025-Outlook)
- [Wikipedia: RTX Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTX_Corporation)
- [RTX 2024 Annual Report (SEC filing)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/101829/000130817925000069/rtx4383903-ars.pdf)
- [Raytheon: Who We Are](https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/who-we-are)

## 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/