The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon another $149 million for 74 additional Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) all-up rounds, spares, containers, and services, the company reported in a news release. The award, along with the $110 million for long-lead items previously awarded in March, brings the FY 2015-2016 full-rate production contract to $259 million. If all options are exercised on the contract, that total could reach up to $563 million in the future.
USS John Paul Jones launches an SM-6 during testing. U.S. Navy photo
“The SM-6 has advanced capabilities and speed,” said Mike Campisi, SM-6 senior program director. “Combatant commanders want their deployed ships armed with as many of these interceptors as possible, and we’re ramping up production to meet that need.”
The supersonic SM-6 pairs the proven Standard Missile airframe and rocket motors with advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities from the company’s proven Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Adding the AMRAAM’s active guidance capabilities gives the SM-6 over-the-horizon capability against manned and unmanned aircraft as well as land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles.
The SM-6 was first deployed in 2013, and some 160 missiles have already been delivered to the Navy.