Raytheon has secured a $745.4 million contract from the US Missile Defense Agency for the production and assembly of SM-3 Block IIA missiles destined for US and Japanese missile defense forces.
The award was issued as a noncompetitive, undefinitized contract, with Raytheon set to conduct manufacturing and assembly operations at its facilities in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama. The contract is expected to run through February 28, 2031.
Advanced Ballistic Missile Interceptor
The SM-3 is an exo-atmospheric, hit-to-kill missile interceptor designed to neutralize ballistic missile targets during the midcourse portion of flight. It can be launched from Aegis Ashore land installations and from Mk 41 vertical launch system cells installed aboard Aegis-equipped warships.
The weapon is used by US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and is also planned for Japan’s two Aegis System Equipped Vessels. The Japanese ships are scheduled to become operational in 2027 and 2028.
Block IIA is the newest major SM-3 variant and was developed through US-Japanese cooperation involving defense companies such as Raytheon and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Compared with earlier versions, the interceptor features larger propulsion motors and an expanded kinetic warhead, enabling it to protect wider areas and counter more advanced ballistic missile threats.
