U.S. Navy orders additional SM-6 missiles from Raytheon in USD 300 million deal

Under the terms of the contract, Raytheon will manufacture the missiles and associated equipment at its facilities in Tucson, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; Andover, Massachusetts; and Dine, New Mexico. The initial phase of the project is expected to be completed by October 2027, with the possibility of extending work through September 2030 if additional options are activated. The Naval Sea Systems Command is overseeing the contract, which was awarded exclusively to Raytheon as the sole producer of the SM-6.

Dubbed by Raytheon as “three missiles in one,” the SM-6 is designed to perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defence missions, offering unparalleled flexibility for naval operations. It can be deployed across 60 surface ships, enhancing the U.S. Navy’s ability to address diverse threats with a single weapon system. To date, Raytheon has delivered over 500 SM-6 missiles to the Navy, further solidifying the system’s role in the nation’s defence strategy.

The contract comes on the heels of international interest in the SM-6. In October 2022, the U.S. State Department approved the foreign military sale of SM-6 Block I missiles to Japan, with Raytheon acting as the principal contractor. That transaction, valued at $450 million, highlighted the global demand for the missile’s advanced capabilities.

Raytheon also holds a separate $1.03 billion contract with the Navy for SM-6 production, awarded in 2019 and expected to be completed by October 2026.