The U.S. Navy has contracted RTX to produce more than 1,900 Standard Missile-6s (SM-6) over five years in a $24.4 billion deal announced on Thursday. The award covers the multi-year production of the ship-launched interceptor, a key munition in the Navy’s fleet defense arsenal.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said in a Navy release that the contract provides industry with demand certainty.
“This SM-6 award gives industry the demand signal and stability to expand production, strengthen the munitions industrial base, and build the magazine depth our fleet needs. That is the foundry delivering for the fleet – and ensuring our sailors have the combat power to fight and win,” Caudle said.
Neither RTX nor the Navy specified the exact number of SM-6s that will be delivered under the contract, beyond the more than 1,900 figure. The deal spans five years, according to the announcement.
The new contract follows a broader Pentagon effort to rebuild munitions stockpiles, which were drawn down by recent conflicts and sustained support to allies.
Sources: DVIDS News · USNI News