Raytheon, a division of RTX, has landed a $74 million contract from the U.S. Navy to manufacture additional Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Launching Systems—marking the largest single order for the system in over 20 years.
The new contract includes the production of multiple launcher units, upgrades to existing launchers, and the supply of associated hardware and spare parts to support modernization initiatives. The project is part of ongoing efforts to bolster the naval fleet’s defense against incoming anti-ship missiles, enhancing survivability and readiness across critical maritime platforms.
Work on the contract will primarily be executed at Raytheon’s facility in Louisville, Kentucky, with project completion projected for 2028.
The RAM system, jointly developed by the U.S. and Germany, is a supersonic, fire-and-forget missile that combines passive radio frequency (RF) and infrared guidance to track and neutralize threats with stealth and precision. It carries a 10-kilogram blast-fragmentation warhead and has a range of approximately 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).
Currently deployed across a wide array of U.S. naval platforms—including Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks, and littoral combat ships—the RAM system is known for its quick reaction time and defensive reliability.
Earlier in May, Raytheon celebrated the delivery of the 250th RAM MK49 Launcher System, which will be installed on the upcoming USS Pittsburgh. This achievement adds to the momentum as the U.S.-Germany RAM partnership prepares to commemorate its 50th anniversary in 2026.
