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Pentagon Awards $24.4 Billion Contract to Raytheon for SM-6 Missile Production Boost
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 05:32
Pentagon Awards $24.4 Billion Contract to Raytheon for SM-6 Missile Production Boost
- •The Pentagon awarded Raytheon a $24.4 billion contract to accelerate production of SM-6 missiles, critical for anti-air and anti-surface warfare.
- •This five-year agreement, with two optional years, aims to speed up production and provide long-term predictability for the defense industry.
- •The move comes as the US works to replenish munitions stockpiles depleted during the war against Iran, which began on February 28.
- •A Defense Department inspector general report highlighted "strategic inventory shortfalls" and "industrial base bottlenecks" due to munitions expenditure in Operation Epic Fury.
- •Raytheon confirmed increased efforts to meet demand, with President Phil Jasper stating investments are being made to boost capacity for this "combat-proven weapon."
Key Questions Answered
The Pentagon awarded Raytheon a $24.4 billion five-year agreement, which includes two additional option years, to accelerate production of SM-6 missiles.
The rapid production acceleration is needed to replace the vast amount of munitions expended during the war against Iran, which created strategic inventory shortfalls and industrial base bottlenecks.
A September 15 report by the Congressional Budget Office stated that the heavy munitions expenditure will leave the United States with a reduced inventory of interceptors for several years.
