The Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon Company a $241 million contract modification for continued engineering design and development work on the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA.
The SM-3 Block IIA is a co-development effort between the U.S. and Japan and the cornerstone of phase three of the administration’s Phased Adaptive Approach. The SM-3 Block IIA’s larger rocket motors and advanced kinetic warhead will allow for a greater defended area, protecting both the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missiles.
“ The co-development of the SM-3 Block IIA with our Japanese allies continues to be an industry-leading example of global partnership,” said Wes Kremer , vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Air and Missile Defense Systems product line. “The SM-3 Block IIA is on track for a 2018 deployment.”
SM-3 is being developed as part of the Missile Defense Agency’s sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The missiles are deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight. Raytheon has delivered more than 130 SM-3s to U.S. and Japanese navies ahead of schedule and under cost.
About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , December 13, 2011