Boeing to increase Standard Missile-3 hardware production

Boeing has entered into seven-year framework agreements with the US Department of War and Raytheon to increase the production of critical hardware for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3). The agreements focus on boosting the output of avionics and ejector assemblies for both the SM-3 Block IB and Block IIA variants.

The SM-3 is a ship-launched, anti-ballistic missile used within the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system. It is designed to intercept ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase of flight, often outside the Earth’s atmosphere, using a kinetic kill vehicle to destroy targets through direct collision rather than an explosive warhead.

Under these frameworks, Boeing, the Department of War, and prime contractor Raytheon will begin ramping up production ahead of a final multi-year award while negotiations continue. The initiative aims to strengthen missile defense capabilities for the US and its allies.