Raytheon secures contract to boost capabilities of USAF

Raytheon has secured a contract to research on the development of next-generation, air-launched, tactical missiles for strengthening the defence capabilities of the US Air Force (USAF).

Under the terms of the $14m indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity cost contract, the company will work on developing technologies to amplify the number of missiles carried on a single sortie while improving the efficacy of each missile.

Additionally, the company will enhance the platform survivability against all threats in an anti-access, area denial (A2AD) environment.

The company will leverage on two research concepts, Small Advanced Capability Missile (SACM) and Miniature Self-Defense Munition (MSDM), to meet the requirements of the USAF .

US Department of Defense (DoD) stated in a press release: "The SACM will support affordable, highly lethal, small size and weight ordnance with advanced air frame design and synergistic control capabilities for air dominance enabling high air-to-air load-out.

"The MSDM will support miniaturised weapon capabilities for air superiority by enabling close-in platform self-defense and penetration into contested A2AD environment with little to no impact to payload capacity."

Work under the contract is expected to be completed by 19 January 2021.

Five companies competed for the contract.

Last week, Raytheon secured an $85.5m contract to supply Griffin A and Griffin B Block II and III missiles and provide engineering support services to the USAF.

Delivery under the contract is expected to be completed by Jan 2017.