Navy Awards Raytheon up to $24.4 Billion for Standard Missile-6

U.S. Marines managed local airspace as the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force conducted live-fire exercise, successfully sinking a maritime target with a Standard Missile-6 during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in the Northern Territory, Australia, on July 16, 2025. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brian A. Stippey

The Department of the Navy awarded Raytheon a five-year contract valued at up to $24.4 billion to accelerate production of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6).

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao announced the contract on Thursday. The same day, the Department of War described the award as a U.S. Navy contract to accelerate the output of the anti-air and anti-surface munitions.

“Combat credibility depends on having enough weapons, produced at the speed and scale the Fleet requires,” Adm. Daryl Caudle, chief of naval operations, said.

SM-6 is primarily intended as an extended-range air-defense missile with a range of 370 kilometers, though it can also protect against ballistic missiles or hit a surface target.

“Our mission is to ensure our warfighters never enter a fair fight,” Michael P. Duffey, undersecretary of war for acquisition and sustainment, said.

Raytheon said the order significantly increases the availability of a munition able to conduct both offensive strikes and missile defense missions, and that it ensures a consistent, reliable supply for the Navy.

The company said it has grown its skilled workforce, built stronger partnerships across the defense industrial base, and automated production. It said the SM-6 is the only combat-proven weapon that can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense, and that it has been fired from Navy ships and land-based launchers.

Days earlier, Raytheon secured an AMRAAM contract valued at up to $20.7 billion. That deal also runs for five years with two option years. The Department of War awarded it under the Arsenal of Freedom effort. RTX said the pact follows an earlier agreement supporting annual production of at least 1,900 of the missiles. Production nearly doubled in 2025 from 2024, the company said.

President Donald Trump, when asked about inventories, told Fox News on Aug. 17, “What we’ve used is peanuts.” He added, “We have a lot of mid-level weapons.”

“These agreements ensure our warfighters get the munitions they need to win,” Duffey said at the time, adding that they were “expanding munitions production and putting our entire defense industrial base on a wartime footing.”

Rex Wilderstrom contributed to this report.