Raytheon has secured a contract valued at up to $20.7 billion to accelerate the production of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAMs).
The five-year deal comes with two option years, aligning with the Pentagon’s “Arsenal of Freedom” efforts to revitalize American manufacturing, accelerate weapons procurement, and pivot the defense sector to a wartime footing.
It also follows a landmark agreement between RTX and the Pentagon in February, which tasks the US defense contractor with increasing its annual AMRAAM output to at least 1,900.
“AMRAAM remains the world’s most trusted, combat-proven air dominance weapon for the United States and our allies, delivering beyond-visual-range lethality with advanced guidance and electronic protection in contested environments,” said Raytheon President Phil Jasper.
AMRAAM Production
AMRAAM missiles typically serve as the primary beyond-visual-range weapon of several US and allied jet fighters, as well as the key interceptor for the ground-based NASAMS air defense system.
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, including operations involving Iran, have led to a surge in demand to replenish US and allied inventories.
RTX has employed several methods to expand AMRAAM production, including collaborations with hundreds of small and mid-sized suppliers within the US.
It has also been exploring international co-production, announcing its search for European suppliers of AMRAAM components in July.
