Raytheon has won over $400 million in US missile contracts, in conjunction with various industry partners.
In one contract, Raytheon will be joining with Lockheed Martin to fulfill two Army contracts for Javelin anti-tank missile systems such as those being shipped to Ukraine for use in its conflict with Russia. Those contracts will be worth a total of $309 million.
The recently awarded Javelin Joint Venture contracts worth $238 million and $71 million have estimated completion dates in 2025.
Since the start of the Ukraine war, the US has sent more than 5500 Javelin missile systems to Ukraine to aid the nation in its combat operations against Russia. Allies, including the United Kingdom, have sent thousands more.
Raytheon will lead the joint venture in Tuscon, providing both management support and system engineering, as well as producing the missile guidance and system software, and the command launch unit.
Lockheed will handle the missile engineering and production, assembling the missiles in Alabama.
Javelin missile systems cost $215,000 per unit, and use infrared guidance systems to lock onto a target’s heat-signature from up to 2 1/2 miles away. The missile carries a 19 pound armor-piercing warhead.
The Javelin has been upgraded incrementally since its introduction in 1996. It is used by about 20 allied nations, including the Unites States Army and Marine Corps. It has seen extensive use in combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
In another contract, Raytheon will team with partner Kongsberg Defense of Norway to fulfill a follow-on contract to produce the Naval Strike Missile systems used in the Navy’s “Over the Horizon Weapons System,” an anti-ship missile system designed to engage at long ranges. The original production contract, awarded in 2018, was worth $850 million.
The missile system was originally developed by Kongsberg, and placed into service with Norway’s and Poland’s navies in 2012. It is now being used in the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships and future guided-missile frigates as a long-range attack system.
It is presently undergoing testing on board the USS Gabrielle Gifford, while the Marine Corps is testing a ground-launched version.
The system has the ability to evade enemy radar and defense systems using evasive maneuvering while flying just off the ocean’s surface. It can use either GPS or heat seeking to track its target from up to 100 miles away and deliver a 276 pound warhead. The units cost $2 million per unit.
Raytheon plans to produce the missiles in Tucson, Arizona, and the launchers in Louisville Kentucky.
