Pentagon awards RTX $6.3B contract for SM-3 Block IB interceptors

The U.S. DoD signed a $6.3 billion contract with RTX (Raytheon) for SM-3 Block IB anti-ballistic missiles for the U.S. Navy. The deal ensures production stability and addresses supply-chain bottlenecks, signaling sustained U.S. investment in missile defense amid evolving ballistic missile threats. The contract's scale and explicit supply-chain focus indicate a strategic priority to ramp up interceptor production.