Raytheon and Rafael’s joint venture R2S has secured a major $1.25-billion contract to deliver Tamir surface-to-air missiles to Israel, including missile kits and essential test equipment. The award coincides with the launch of a new $33-million manufacturing facility in East Camden, Arkansas, built to support Israel’s effort to rapidly increase Iron Dome interceptor production.
The new Arkansas facility will produce Tamir warheads for the combat-proven Iron Dome air and missile defense system, which has been operational since 2011. The system uses radar-guided interceptors to neutralize rockets, artillery rounds, and short-range missiles, boasting a success rate of over 95 percent. In the coming years, the site will also assemble the SkyHunter variant for the US Marine Corps, offering defenses against short- and medium-range airborne threats, including cruise missiles and enemy aircraft.
The R2S site is integrated into Raytheon’s Highland Industrial Park operations, supporting expanded interceptor production across the region. When the project was first announced, Raytheon noted that the facility would generate up to 60 new jobs once fully operational.
Additionally, the company recently revealed a massive $400-million investment to build a solid rocket motor manufacturing campus in Camden. Spanning 110 acres and more than 20 buildings, the new production hub will increase rocket motor output by over sixfold, enabling the manufacture of medium and large motors for missiles, interceptors, and hypersonic weapons—critical assets for US and allied air and missile defense programs.
