The US Missile Defense Agency has awarded Raytheon a $745.4 million contract to manufacture and assemble Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptors for the United States and Japan.
The contract was issued on a noncompetitive and undefinitized basis. Raytheon will perform the work at facilities in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama, with completion scheduled for February 28, 2031.
The SM-3 is a hit-to-kill missile interceptor designed to destroy ballistic missile threats outside the atmosphere during the midcourse stage of flight. It can be launched from land-based Aegis Ashore facilities as well as Mk 41 vertical launch system cells installed on Aegis-equipped warships.
US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers are among the platforms that can operate the interceptor. Japan is also developing two Aegis System Equipped Vessels, scheduled to enter service in 2027 and 2028.
The Block IIA is the latest major variant and was jointly developed by the United States and Japan with industry participation from Raytheon and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Compared with earlier versions, Block IIA incorporates larger rocket motors and a larger kinetic warhead. These improvements are intended to provide wider defensive coverage and improve the system’s ability to address more advanced ballistic missile threats.
