We scheduled this Effects issue of Technology Today last year, so now it is a little ironic that it will be my last before I take the helm of the leader in Effects — Raytheon Missile Systems — on July 1.

It is truly an honor to be succeeding Louise Francesconi who will be retiring from the company on Sept. 1, after 33 years of distinguished service to the company. Louise imparts some of her knowledge in this issue's Leaders Corner column where she discusses fostering innovation and new technologies in the Effects market.

Effects are technologies to achieve specific actions or outcomes. Sometimes that will be the application of our precision-guided munitions. Other times it might be producing a defensive effect, like our missile defense technologies. We also think about effects in cyberspace.

This issue showcases how Raytheon is using technology to invest in and build on our capabilities in this market: from netted effects, where missiles and decoys become nodes on a network, to directed-energy weapons to precisely counter threats, often in a non-lethal fashion.

In closing, I would like to thank the entire ET&MA community for helping reshape the organization over the last two years. We have much to be proud of, not the least of which are establishing Enabling Technology Projects to develop new and innovative capabilities for our customers; driving common processes and tools; transforming Raytheon Six Sigma™ and defining Mission Assurance for the enterprise; and building on our culture of innovation.

I know you will be in good hands with my successor, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Vice President of Engineering Mark Russell, who has the deep technical expertise, leadership skills and experience to keep moving Raytheon technology forward for the benefit of our customers.

Best wishes ...