The Pentagon has signed agreements with Boeing and RTX to expand production of critical components for the Standard Missile-3 interceptors.
The US Department of Defense has signed two seven-year framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to expand production of critical components for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB and Block IIA interceptors, key weapons in the US Navy’s ship-launched ballistic missile defense architecture.
Under the agreements, Boeing will increase production of avionics and ejector assemblies for the two variants, supporting increased production of the interceptors, which are integrated with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.
The agreements allow Boeing to begin production of the components while the three parties negotiate a multi-year production award.
“This gives us a clear demand signal to build and deliver SM-3 interceptors at the levels needed to counter threats,” Vice President of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems Bob Ciesla said.
“The SM-3 is an essential part of the layered air and missile defense architecture that protects the US and its allies worldwide.”
Missile Production Expansion
The effort supports the administration’s “Arsenal of Freedom” initiative and the department’s strategy to accelerate the delivery of critical defense capabilities.
It follows the awarding of a contract to Lockheed Martin worth up to $53.86 billion to ramp up production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors through 2033.
The US Navy and Lockheed Martin have been working to integrate the interceptor, originally developed for the US Army’s Patriot air defense system, with the Aegis system used on navy warships, such as the Ticonderoga-class cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
Integrating the interceptor into a naval platform expands the navy’s integrated air and missile defense capabilities by enabling more layered defenses against evolving threats.
Lockheed Martin has also secured another multibillion-dollar contract to expand production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors, which are designed to intercept ballistic missile threats inside and outside the atmosphere.
