Raytheon, an RTX division, has announced it has commenced full-scale production of the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, underscoring the program's design maturity amidst rising interest from the United States and its global allies.
The achievement of this production milestone for the SM-3 Block IIA lays the foundation for securing a $1.9 billion contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency by July 2024. This contract will facilitate the manufacturing of missile rounds for the U.S. government and Japan's Ministry of Defense.
Developed through a significant cooperative initiative involving the Missile Defense Agency, Japan's Ministry of Defense, and their partners—Raytheon and Japanese industry stakeholders—the SM-3 Block IIA represents the first MDA-procured program to reach this level of production capability.
Raytheon highlights that the SM-3 Block IIA incorporates larger rocket motors and a more advanced kinetic warhead in comparison to earlier versions. This enhances its ability to swiftly neutralize threats and secure broader areas from ballistic missile attacks ranging from short to intermediate distances.
Production under this contract will occur at Raytheon facilities located in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama, with the project slated for completion by February 2031.