The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a contract modification to a previously awarded contract to Raytheon Missiles and Defense, for US Navy and German Navy Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Mod 5 guided missile launching system (GMLS) requirements and spares.

Valued at over $57.2m, the contract modification will see the procurement of material, fabrication of parts, assembly, test, and delivery of RAM MK 49 Mod 5 GMLSs, ordnance alteration kits, and spare parts. Under the terms of the contract, 40% of the work will be performed at Ottobrunn, Germany.

The US Navy will contribute 65% of the value of the contract, amounting to in excess of $37.3m, while Germany will provide around 16% ($9m), with the remainder comprised of additional US funding sources.

The RAM missile system is a co-operative programme between the US and German governments, with the system operated by Germany, South Korea, Egypt, Turkey, and the US. It is designed to be launched from ships and provides quick reaction defence against various threats.

In October, RAM-System won a $206.6m contract from Naval Sea Systems Command to procure RAM Block 2B Guided Missile Round Pack and spare replacement components for the German Navy.

The SeaRAM system is an evolution of the MK15 Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS), which entered service in 1980, utilising short-range missiles to intercept incoming threats. Like the CIWS, the SeaRAM requires minimal installation requirements.

In 2013 Raytheon received a $136.2m contract from the US Navy for the production of four SeaRAM missile systems and upgrade of 19 Phalanx CIWS. The contract included a $94.8m option for an additional four SeaRAMs and 12 Phalanx systems, to be delivered through 2014.

According to GlobalData’s “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems 2022-2032“, Raytheon Technologies is the leading supplier of missiles and missile defence systems in North America. The company will capture 24.9% of the MMDS market in North America, with an anticipated revenue share of $34.7bn over 2022–32.