The Navy awarded RTX [RTX] a $344 million contract in March to develop two new Standard Missile (SM) variants that focus on a new common guidance section for U.S. and allied fleets.
The company will specifically develop the SM-2 Block IICU and SM-6 Block IU. These variants will both share a common guidance section, target detection device, independent flight termination system and electronic unit. RTX disclosed the contract on April 25.
RTX underscored the commonality between the variants will allow the company to produce them on a common line to provide flexibility, scalability and cost reductions.
“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,” Kim Ernzen, president of Naval Power at RTX business Raytheon, said in a statement
The company said this award covers common sub-sections for both the SM-2 Block IICU and SM-6 Block IU, but it expects a follow-on contract later in 2024 to cover completing missile level qualification events and at-sea flight tests for the SM-2 Block IIICU.
RTX also noted this development program will mostly be funded via Foreign Military Sales with U.S. allies.
The first users of the new missiles will be the U.S., Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea.
Ernzen noted this will be the first time U.S. allies will field Standard Missile active radar technology with the SMs.
The contract work will be conducted in FTX’s facility in Tucson, Ariz.