SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Huntsville’s contribution to ballistic missile defense for the U.S. and its allies is set to increase significantly following a major contract awarded to Raytheon Technologies. On Thursday, the Defense Department announced a $1,944,082,765 sole-source award for Raytheon to develop a variant of its next-gen Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) for the U.S. and Japanese militaries. According to the department, the project will be executed in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama.
Raytheon’s spokesperson did not disclose specific details about the work planned for Huntsville.
The SM-3 missiles are capable of traveling at 13 times the speed of sound over a range of 700 miles. They can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles or satellites and are launched from ships or ground stations. According to Raytheon, these missiles are central to the European missile defense system.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Block IIA variant, developed jointly by Japan and Raytheon, boasts enhanced speed and targeting capabilities compared to previous versions.
.In April, AL.com reported that Raytheon began a $115 million expansion of its missile integration facility at Redstone Arsenal. This expansion is expected to double the facility’s space and add 185 new jobs.
According to previous reports from AL.com, Raytheon also manufactures Standard Missile-6 variants under Navy contracts at its Redstone operation, where missiles have been built since 2012.
Additionally, Raytheon Technologies’ East Camden site will participate in the missile production contract for the U.S. and Japan. The Tucson, AZ-based company will manufacture and assemble SM-3 Block IIA All-Up Rounds under a hybrid (fixed-price incentive and cost-plus-fixed-fee) contract.
Work will be completed in Tucson and Huntsville, with an expected end date of February 28, 2031. Funds amounting to $583,732,034 from the fiscal years 2023 and 2024, along with $383,265,085, will be allocated at the time of the award. The Japan Ministry of Defense Foreign Military Sales funds, totaling $308,451,327, will also be obligated at the time of the award. The Missile Defense Agency in Dahlgren, Virginia, will oversee the contracting activity.
