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.
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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."
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By GlobalDataWork 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.
