Ducommun to build fire control systems for Raytheon’s Naval Strike Missile

Raytheon has chosen US-based aerospace and defence company Ducommun to develop fire control systems for the US Navy's Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

The advanced weapon will be provided by Raytheon to address the over-the-horizon requirements of the navy's littoral combat ships (LCSs) and future frigates.

NSM is a long-range, precision strike weapon that originated in Norway. It is able to detect and destroy enemy vessels at distances up to 100nm away.

The new project is expected to support production jobs at Ducommun's Berryville and Huntsville sites in Arkansas, US.

Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice-president Mike Jarrett said: “As one of America's best technology manufacturers, Ducommun brings the right expertise to the NSM programme.

“Producing NSM in the US is a win all the way around for American jobs, our men and women in uniform, and it's a great value for the navy.”

The anti-ship and land-attack missile offers enhanced strike capability against heavily defended land and sea targets.

Raytheon is currently collaborating with Norwegian company Kongsberg Gruppen to produce NSM in the US and make the technology available to the US Navy.

Raytheon is also assembling a production and supply team to enable the manufacture of the missile in the country.

Work on the NSM systems is expected to commence later this year at Ducommun’s Berryville and Huntsville sites.

The missile will enable the US Navy to meet its requirements for survivability against high-end threats, demonstrated lethality, easy upgrades and long-range strike capability.