Raytheon has been awarded a US$344 million USD (~AU$512 million) contract by the United States Department of Defense for the development of two missile variants – the SM-2 Block IIICU and SM-6 Block IU – which will be based on a common guidance section, where the electronics and software that guide a missile to its target are housed.
The development program is largely funded by Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, including Australia, which is slated to operate both the SM-2 and SM-6.
According to Raytheon, the first users of these updated missiles will be the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
The updated variants will share a newly designed guidance section, target detection device, independent flight termination system and electronics unit. This commonality will allow Raytheon to manufacture both missiles on a common production line, which the company stated will provide flexibility, scalability, and cost reductions for both types.
"Upgrades under this contract will allow us to increase speed and efficiency in production of these weapon systems that are integral to the defense of the U.S. Navy and our allies," said Kim Ernzen, president of Naval Power, Raytheon. "It's also a very important step forward for our international customers, as this will be the first time that Standard Missile active radar technology will be fielded by the U.S.'s international allies."
While the common sub-sections will be developed for both missile configurations under this award, Raytheon expects a follow-on contract later this year that will complete the missile level qualification events as well as at-sea flight tests specific to the SM-2 Block IIICU configuration.