Raytheon, an RTX business, has been contracted for a missile development program funded largely by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency's Foreign Military Sales program. The program's intent is to design an advanced guidance system that supports two missile systems, the SM-2 Block IIICU and SM-6 Block IU missile systems (see image above). The contract work is valued at $344 million.
The two missile variants will employ a common guidance section and will share a new guidance section, target detection device. The sharing of guidance systems and electronics will allow Raytheon to manufacture both missile systems on the same production line while saving production time and expenses. Work on the missiles will be performed in Tucson, Ariz.
Kim Ernzen, president of Naval Power for Raytheon, explained, “Upgrades under this contract will allow us to increase speed and efficiency in production of these weapon systems that are integral to the defense of the U.S. Navy and our allies.”
Ernzen added, “It's also a very important step forward for our international customers, as this will be the first time that Standard Missile active radar technology will be fielded by the U.S.'s international allies.” The first users of the updated missile systems are expected to be the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Korea.