Raytheon selected for anti-ship weapon support

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Raytheon has received a $64.6 million contract to perform technical support services for several naval anti-ship weapon systems operated by the U.S. Navy.

The contract covers services for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System, the SeaRAM, and the Land-based Phalanx Weapon System. Foreign military sales for Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Canada, Britain, South Korea, Portugal, and Greece are also included in the deal.

The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System, or CIWS, is a fast-reaction defensive weapon designed to protect maritime warfighters against anti-ship missile threats. The systems can operate either autonomously or as part of an integrated combat system.

Work on the contract will be performed in Tucson, Ariz.; El Segundo, Calif., and other locations. The U.S. Department of Defense expects the contract to be complete by January 2018.

The agreement is comprised of options with the potential to raise the contract value to $398 million if exercised. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., is listed as the contracting activity.