The US Department of War (DoW) has established two major seven-year framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to increase production of critical components for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB and Block IIA interceptors.
The agreements are intended to bolster the supply of key hardware, particularly avionics and ejector assemblies, that are essential to the SM-3 missiles.
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According to the DoW, these component upgrades support precise targeting capabilities for intercepting missile threats outside Earth’s atmosphere.
The SM-3 interceptors are central to the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defence System, the primary ship-based missile defence shield of the US and its allies.
DoW Acquisition and Sustainment under secretary Michael P. Duffey said: “These agreements ensure our Warfighters get the munitions they need to win. We are stabilising our supply chains, expanding munitions production and putting our entire defence industrial base on a wartime footing.”
Boeing will lead manufacturing of avionics and ejector assemblies under the frameworks, which will enable Raytheon, the SM-3 prime contractor, to ramp up missile production ahead of formal contract awards as negotiations continue.
The SM-3 framework follows Boeing’s prior agreement with the DoW and Lockheed Martin to expand production of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) seekers.
Boeing Precision Engagement Systems vice president Bob Ciesla said: “This gives us a clear demand signal to build and deliver SM‑3 interceptors at the levels needed to counter threats. The SM‑3 is an essential part of the layered air and missile defence architecture that protects the US and its allies worldwide.”
For the DoW, the frameworks are part of its broader Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which aims to streamline procurement processes and strengthen the connection with suppliers across the industrial base.
Last week, Raytheon also secured a $745.39m contract to manufacture and assemble SM-3 Block IIA interceptors for both the US Government and Japan’s Ministry of Defence.
