Raytheon Wins Major Deal for Production of U.S. Navy Strike Missile Launchers
Raytheon Company has finalized an initial agreement to produce Naval Strike Missile (NSM) launchers at its manufacturing site. This arrangement marks the commencement of U.S. production for the Norwegian-designed weapon system.
Kongsberg Defence Systems granted the initial contract for qualification units. This award comes after a declaration in July that Raytheon will produce NSM launchers domestically. Moreover, the company intends to perform final assembly, integration, and testing of the Naval Strike Missile at Raytheon’s Tucson facility in Arizona.
“Building NSM launchers at our Louisville site constitutes a significant growth of our longstanding partnership with Kongsberg,” expressed Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. “This arrangement will enable us to create jobs while supplying our Norwegian allies with high-quality launchers.”
Raytheon is already engaged in the production of Close-in Weapon Systems, including Phalanx, SeaRAM, and Rolling Airframe Missile launchers at its Louisville facility.
“This agreement signifies a vital advancement in our enduring collaboration with Raytheon, marking the first production contract for NSM on U.S. soil,” said Harald Ånnestad, president of Kongsberg Defence Systems. “Kongsberg is committed to enhancing the production and support of NSM in the United States for the foreseeable future. This initiative promotes high-tech job growth and underscores U.S. sustainability of NSM.”
With a range exceeding 100 nautical miles, NSM is a long-range, anti-ship missile that delivers remarkable strike capabilities against both terrestrial and naval targets. Raytheon and Kongsberg claim that NSM is an ideal solution for naval forces globally and the leading over-the-horizon missile for the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship.
In addition, the companies are working together on the development of the Joint Strike Missile and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, known as NASAMS.
