TUCSON, May 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon a $142 million contract for production of the Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) and Block IIIB conversion kits.
The SM-2 is the Navy's primary surface-to-air missile (SAM) and has been in service since 1998 aboard U.S. cruisers, destroyers and frigates as well as the fleets of 13 allied nations.
"This contract continues to demonstrate the Standard Missile program's commitment to provide the U.S. Navy with a safe, effective and affordable missile," intoned Raytheon Vice President Ed Miyashiro Thursday.
The specifics of the pact call for 75 new Block IIIB missiles plus spare parts, motors, telemeters and 80 conversion kits to upgrade existing missiles to the Block IIIB configuration.
The Block IIIB SM-2 includes an upgraded guidance system that includes infrared capability along with the radio-frequency guidance found in the Block IIIA version. The addition of infrared in the form of a side-mounted infrared seeker device was made to counter advances in electronic countermeasures that were showing up in newer warplanes.
The missile is called the most sophisticated long-range naval SAM in the world by Raytheon and can also be used against ships and shore targets if necessary.
The actual work on the contract announced Thursday will take place at Raytheon's plants in Tucson and Camden, Ark.
