Raytheon to support RAM Block 2 guided missiles for U.S. Navy

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon with a contract to support its Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 guided missile round pack requirements.

Under the contract, valued at approximately $66.6 million, Raytheon will produce materials, fabricate parts, assemble and test the RAM Block 2 44 Mod 4 guided missile round packs. The contract also includes an option for a foreign military sale to the government of Japan, which would bring the value of the contract up to $143 million.

The Rolling Airframe Missile is designed to be mounted on naval ships to provide defense against anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft. The RAM Block 2 is the latest variant of the weapon, and is equipped with an autonomous dual-mode passive radio frequency and infrared guidance system, allowing the missile system to engage multiple targets at once.

RAM Block 2 is a follow up to the Block 1/1A, and improves on the system's ability to engage highly-mobile targets. RAM is a cooperative development between the United States and Germany, and is currently equipped on over 165 ships.

Work on the contract will be performed in Arizona, Germany, and additional locations.